IKEA Transport & Logistics Services, CMA CGM Group and the GoodShipping Program have announced the successful completion of their 2019 biofuel test program. It follows positive trials of heavy fuel oil-equivalent bio-fuel oil (GoodFuels BFO) during CMA CGM Alexander von Humboldt’s Europe-Asia trip, which occurred in September and October.
This latest development follows the world premiere refuelling of a container ship with sustainable biofuel, when the CMA CGM White Shark took on the bunker during a call at the Port of Rotterdam in March.
Under the unprecedented trial, sustainable bio-fuel 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 bio-fuel oil showed a positive result, thus proving the technical compatibility of sustainable marine biofuels.
IKEA Transport & Logistics Services, CMA CGM Group and the GoodShipping Program said these developments demonstrate the viability of advanced biofuels to meet current and future environmental regulations and emissions reductions targets, delivering a more sustainable shipping industry.
All GoodFuels sustainable marine fuels are virtually SOx free and deliver 80-90% well-to-propeller CO2 reduction versus fossil equivalents.
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, while having the same net effect in averting the effects of climate change.
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 program 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.”
