K Line trials B100 biofuel on board a car carrier

Japanese shipping major Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (K Line) has completed its first trial use of marine B100 biofuel on board its operated car carrier Apollon Highway.

Energy management company World Fuel Services supplied the biofuel at the Belgium port of Zeebrugge on March 31, 2024. After leaving Europe Emission Control Area, the vessel started using the B100 biofuel. The trial was completed on April 30.

Marine biofuel offers an environmentally friendly alternative fuel option for the shipping industry, with its compatibility with existing ship engines and significant potential for emission reduction. Derived from renewable sources like vegetable oils or animal fats, it has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by about 80-90% in the well-to-wake process (from fuel generation to consumption) without requiring modifications to current engine specifications.

As companies in the maritime sector intensify efforts to decarbonise, biodiesel blends are increasingly being trialled. These blends, such as B30, B20, and B10, consist of varying proportions of biodiesel and petroleum diesel. Notably, B100 biofuel, also known as pure biodiesel, is composed of 100% biodiesel.

The trial aligns with K Line’s decarbonisation strategy, targeting a 50% improvement in CO2 emission efficiency by 2030 compared to 2008 levels, ultimately aiming for net zero emissions by 2050. As part of this initiative, the company is implementing an action plan to test different new fuels with low environmental impact across its fleet.

K Line has conducted several biofuel trials on its vessels, encompassing tugboats, car carriers, and bulk carriers, utilising B24, a blend consisting of 24% fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) mixed with very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO).

While biofuel shows promise, concerns have arisen regarding its potential effects on vessel operations, including susceptibility to degradation and microbial growth, posing risks to engine systems and fuel delivery.

The Singapore-based Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) is currently conducting a study on the long-term implications of continuous biofuel use on vessel operations.

Read more: NYK teams up with GCMD to address concerns of long-term biofuels use