Cepsa supplies marine biofuel to NYK Line using hybrid barge powered by 100% renewable diesel, batteries

Cepsa announced Oct. 18 that it has delivered second-generation biofuels to Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) in the Bay of Algeciras using a dual approach with its hybrid barge, the Bahía Levante, to minimize the carbon impact of the operation.

For the delivery of 1,030 tons of Cepsa-produced B24 biofuel to the Atlas Leader, a 653-foot-long vehicle-carrier ship operated by NYK Line, the Bahía Levante used 100 percent renewable diesel (HVO) while sailing and supplying the second-generation biofuel in the harbor, and battery power when docked.

With this, Cepsa said it further solidifies its position as a benchmark in the energy transition and a leader in the supply of energy for maritime transportation.

Second-generation biofuels fuels can be utilized without ship modifications and have the potential to decrease greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 90 percent throughout their lifecycle compared to traditional fossil fuels.

Cepsa can supply these sustainable fuels to customers on a regular basis, and by using its barge powered by batteries and biofuels, it can further reduce the carbon impact of operations.

“As the shipping industry steps up its pursuit of decarbonization solutions, we are determined to maintain our leadership in marine fuel supply, offering our customers increasingly sustainable solutions through vessels that also comply with regulatory requirements,” said Samir Fernández, director of marine fuel solutions at Cepsa. “We are delighted that our second-generation biofuels are continuing to be harnessed by the maritime industry as they progress on their decarbonization journey. The supply to NYK emphasizes our double effort to support our customers in their decarbonization journeys and decarbonize our own operations.”

The use of biofuels enables shipping companies to stay ahead of the decarbonization objectives of the International Maritime Organization and the European Union.

The IMO recently updated its strategy for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions in maritime transportation, establishing ambitious targets that will incrementally rise from 20 percent in 2030 to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, compared to 2008 levels.

Meanwhile, the European Commission’s Fit for 55 package includes the Fuel EU maritime legislative initiative, which aims to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions intensity in maritime transport by 2 percent in 2025, 6 percent in 2030 and 80 percent in 2050, compared to 2020 levels, promoting the use of sustainable fuels.

Cepsa’s initiative further underscores its commitment to second-generation biofuels as a catalyst for advancing the decarbonization of maritime transportation.

The company aspires to be the leading producer of biofuels in Spain and Portugal by 2030 with an annual production capacity of 2.5 million tons, and of green hydrogen with an annual production capacity equivalent to 2 gigawatts.

It has also announced ambitious projects for the production of green ammonia and green methanol.