DNV: biofuel supply a potential constraint

Although biofuels such as fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) have significant potential for supporting ship’s decarbonisation drive, classification society, DNV, warns that their uptake in the future could be hampered by supply constraints. In its latest white paper, ‘Biofuels in Shipping’, DNV also stresses that their safe introduction, and critical operational and technical features are clearly understood.

According to DNV, shipping consumed about 0.7 million tonnes of oil equivalent (mtoe) of biofuels, 0.6% of global biofuel supply and just 0.3% of shipping’s total energy consumption. And although there is tremendous scope to increase these figures, it is essential that the biofuels used are properly monitored and meet strict sustainability and greenhouse gas saving targets, verified by a Proof of Sustainability of similar document.

In preparing the white paper, DNV contacted eight biofuel providers and 12 shipping companies. Sixty locations were identified where biofuels have been supplied over the last ten years. However, Singapore and Rotterdam are the main providers, between them supplying about half of biofuels in 2023.

Together with other experts, DNV anticipates that biofuel consumption in the maritime sphere will take place in blended fuels, combining products like FAME and HVO with conventional oil-based fuels. The white paper outlines some of the technical and operational consideration for ‘drop-in’ biofuels. These include verifying quality and compatibility with shipboard systems, as well as monitoring performance.

DNV Maritime CEO, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, commented:Biofuels present a promising decarbonisation option for shipowners, and it's encouraging to see steady growth in the number of bunkering ports offering biofuels in recent years. However, the long-term future of the maritime biofuel market hinges on the availability of sustainable biomass at an affordable level, as well as competition with other sectors. Shipowners should, therefore, aim to explore energy efficiency measures and alternative fuels as part of their wider decarbonisation strategies, while utilising biofuels where they are available and affordable.”

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