Ocean Network Express (ONE) has announced the successful completion of the biofuel trial onboard MOL ENDOWMENT.
In a statement, ONE said the drop-in biofuel pilot project is conducted as part of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation's (GCMD) pilot project to establish a quality, quantity and GHG abatement assurance framework for drop-in biofuels.
It added that M/V MOL ENDOWMENT was refuelled with 992 metric tons of marine biofuel product at the Port of Singapore on December 21, 2022.
ONE said the vessel, deployed on ONE's Japan Straits Malaysia (JSM) service, fully utilized the biofuel in 20 days.
Biofuel consumption started on January 7, 2023, after the vessel left the port of Kobe in Japan, passing Keelung, Hong Kong and then sailing to Southeast Asia.
ONE added that the biofuel was fully consumed on January 26, 2023, on its return voyage to Japan from Port Klang.
"The biofuel used was B24, a blend of Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester (UCOME) and Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO). UCOME is produced from Used Cooking Oil (UCO), which is derived from residue or feedstocks labelled as 100% waste and has been certified for its sustainability in accordance with internationally recognized ISCC standards," the ocean liner said.
It added that the biofuel blend was supplied by Chevron, and it is considered a sustainable fuel that is similar to petroleum-derived marine fuels in terms of its operational application.
ONE said tracing these biofuels along the supply chain from production to use is a key aspect of GCMD's pilot to articulate a robust GHG abatement assurance framework.
As such, the biofuel and its blends were dosed with a physical tracer and subjected to multiple samplings across its supply chain for laboratory analysis.
ONE said the resultant data would be used by GCMD as inputs in developing the assurance framework.
The trial also required no modifications to the marine engines or fuel infrastructure — demonstrating that marine biofuel products can be considered 'Drop-in fuels' for reducing carbon emissions from ships.
The use and testing of the biofuel were performed in partnership with shipowner Mitsui OSK Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd., and the biofuel was supplied in accordance with the standard on specifications of marine biofuel (WA2:2022) established by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
Digitization of bunkering documents
ONE said the trial also marked a step forward in digitization as the biofuel transaction was made digitally through the Singapore Trade Data Exchange (SGTraDex).
SGTraDex is a digital utility that facilitates the sharing of data between supply chain ecosystem partners through a common data highway to enable the secure exchange of information.
"During the biofuel trial, the exchange of documents between ONE and Chevron was made through SGTraDex. These documents include the Certificate of Quality, Bunkering Sales Confirmation, Bunker Delivery Note, Bunkering Sales Invoice (Delivery)," the shipping line said, adding that additionally, supporting documents, such as Mass Flow Meter (MFM) receipts, MFM seals checklist, meter recording form and International Sustainability and Carbon (ISCC) Certification, were also done digitally.
This digitization of bunkering documents helped to reduce the paper-based processes and made the transaction both more efficient and secure.
"The maritime industry has many interconnected players, and collaboration is key in moving our decarbonization ambition forward. It is encouraging to see the various partners at different points of the supply chain come together in this biofuel trial for the common goal of a better, more sustainable future," said Jeremy Nixon, CEO of Ocean Network Express.
"At ONE, digitization and decarbonization are some of our top business priorities. This 4th biofuel trial marks a step forward in our goal to achieve net zero by 2050," he added.
