Biofuel tests on CMA CGM box ships prove successful

Image: GoodShipping

IKEA Transport & Logistics Services, the CMA CGM Group, and the GoodShipping Program report that they have successful completed of their 2019 biofuel test program on CMA CGM vessels.

This following positive trials of HFO-equivalent biofuel during CMA CGM Alexander Von Humboldt’s North Europe-Asia trip, occurred in September and October 2019.

The world premiere refueling of a containership with sustainable biofuel, when the CMA CGM White Shark took on the bunker during a call at the Port of Rotterdam in March 2019.

Under the trial, sustainable biofuel oil was used in a blend with conventional fossil-based marine fuels to power a vessel on a major oceangoing route.

Both applications of the biofuel oil reportedly showed a positive result, demonstrating the technical compatibility of sustainable marine biofuels.

HFO EQUIVALENT

The biofuel trialed by CMA CGM in both vessels was supplied by leading biofuels company GoodFuels, and is claimed to be the first ever HFO-equivalent biofuel. GoodFuels says all of its sustainable marine fuels are virtually SOx free and deliver 80-90% well-to-propeller CO2 reduction versus fossil equivalents.

The trials were achieved as a result of IKEA Transport & Logistics Services’ participation in the GoodShipping Program, the world’s first decarbonization initiative for cargo owners.

The GoodShipping Program works on the premise that, as all CO2 from shipping is emitted into the same atmosphere, the means of mitigating these emissions is equally impactful, regardless of which vessels adopt biofuels over traditional bunker fuels – or the amount of “drop in” biofuel that is added to the fuel tank, as long as it offsets the CO2 costs of transporting participating shippers’ cargo.

This flexible approach provides far greater scope for immediate impact.

“We are pleased to conclude that this pilot has been successful and that it has been proven possible to use advanced biofuel oil on oceangoing vessels,” said Elisabeth Munck af Rosenschöld, Head of Sustainability, IKEA Global Transport & Logistics Services. “It is only through collaboration and partnerships between major players – including cargo owners, ship operators and solution providers – that we can achieve real change at fast pace. We need a diversified portfolio of solutions to achieve our ambitious emissions reduction targets – and marine biofuels are an important part of the puzzle going forward for our sector.”

Xavier Leclercq, Vice President – CMA Ships, CMA CGM Group, said: “As a world leader in shipping and logistics, we are resolutely committed to environmental protection and the energy transition. This world premiere partnership with the GoodShipping Program and IKEA is further proof of the CMA CGM Group’s commitment to improving the sustainability of the shipping industry, and of its pioneering role in the development of innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions. These landmark trials give the maritime sector a vital demonstration into the scalability, sustainability and technical compliance of marine bio-fuel oil, confirming CMA CGM’s leading role in the energy transition of the industry.”

Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO, The GoodShipping Program said: “The success of this test programme with IKEA and CMA CGM builds further evidence of the important role that Bio-Fuel Oil will play in the marine fuel mix, and proves that initiatives already exist on the market for cargo owners to realise their decarbonisation goals. The GoodShipping Program is committed to helping more cargo owners unlock the potential of this direct decarbonisation option in the near future, as our sector continues to establish and embrace its wider carbon reduction efforts.”

GoodFuels says that all its sustainable marine biofuels are functionally equivalent to petroleum-derived marine fuels. These “drop-in” fuels require no modifications to the engine or the fuel infrastructure.