K Line conducts trial use of marine biofuel on Supramax bulker

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (K Line) announced Aug. 26 that it has conducted a trial use of marine biofuel on the Supramax bulker Albion Bay with the cooperation of JFE Steel Corp. This is the second successful trial use of marine biofuel by a K Line vessel.

K Line signed a deal with GoodFuels for the supply of marine biofuel.

The vessel completed the loading operation of hot-rolled steel coils at JFE Steel’s West Japan Works July 24 and started navigation to Pakistan.

The marine biofuel was delivered to the vessel in Singapore Aug. 3.

After leaving Singapore, the vessel conducted the trial use of marine biofuel and safely arrived at its discharging port in Pakistan Aug 16.

“Biodiesel will be able to reduce CO2 by about 80 to 90 percent in the well-to-wake (from fuel generation to consumption) process without changing current engine specifications,” K Line stated in an Aug. 26 press release.

In addition to this trial, K Line is planning the same kind of trial use of marine biofuel by a Capesize bulker for JFE Steel’s raw-material shipment.

“We aim to contribute to decarbonization of the entire marine transportation [system] in our customer’s supply chain,” K Line stated.

K Line’s 2050 environmental vision includes a 2030 interim target of improving CO2-emission efficiency by 50 percent over 2008, surpassing the International Maritime Organization’s target of 40 percent improvement.

“Furthermore, we set our new target for 2050 as ‘The Challenge of Achieving Net -Zero GHG Emissions,’” the shipping line stated. “As an action plan, we will continue to work on the introduction of new fuels, which have a low environmental impact and take on the challenge of achieving the targets set forth.”