Ocean Network Express (ONE) has announced the successful completion of the biofuel trial onboard MOL ENDOWMENT.
Drop-in biofuel pilot project 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, the M/V MOL ENDOWMENT was refuelled with 992 metric tons of marine biofuel product at the Port of Singapore, on December 21st, 2022.
The vessel, deployed on ONE’s Japan Straits Malaysia (JSM) service, fully utilized the biofuel in 20 days. Biofuel consumption started on January 7th, 2023, after the vessel left the port of Kobe in Japan, passing Keelung, Hong Kong and then sailed to Southeast Asia.
The biofuel was fully consumed on January 26th, 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 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. 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.
The resultant data will be used by GCMD as inputs in developing the assurance framework. The trial required no modifications to the marine engines or fuel infrastructure. It also demonstrated 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 O.S.K. Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd., and the biofuel was supplied in accordance with the standard on specifications of marine biofuel established by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. Digitization of Bunkering Documents
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 secure exchange of information.
During the biofuel trial, the exchange of documents between ONE and Chevron were made through SGTraDex. These documents include the Certificate of Quality, Bunkering Sales Confirmation, Bunker Delivery Note, Bunkering Sales Invoice (Delivery). 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.