Astomos, Inpex complete Middle East’s 1st-ever supply of marine biofuel to VLGC

Photo: NYK Line

Astomos Energy Corp. and Inpex Corp. announced June 22 that they have completed the supply of B24 marine biofuel to a Very Large Gas Carrier chartered by Astomos.

Based on an agreement between the two parties announced May 11, Inpex supplied B24 marine biofuel to the VLGC Lycaste Peace at Sharjah port in the emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates May 21 through the bunker vessel Monjasa Shaker operated by Monjasa.

This marked the first instance in which biofuel was supplied to a VLGC in the Middle East.

Lycaste Peace safely completed the use of the B24 biofuel June 5.

B24 marine biofuel consists of 24 percent fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), also known as biodiesel, and 76 percent very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO), a conventional bunker fuel.

Dubai-based Neutral Fuels produced the FAME used in the supplied B24 marine biofuel from waste cooking oil collected from restaurants and hotels in the UAE.

Monjasa supplied the VLSFO and blended it with the FAME.

The International Sustainability & Carbon Certification system, which covers various biobased feedstocks and renewables, certified the FAME.

Astomos and Inpex have a track record of pursuing a joint initiative toward the realization of a carbon-neutral society, including entering a carbon-neutral propane gas sales and purchase agreement in September 2021.

The recent biofuel bunker supply in the Middle East is in line with this initiative, which the companies will take steps to accelerate including expanding the supply of biobased bunker fuel.