Ocean Network Express brings together decarbonization, digitization in 4th trial of marine biofuel

Ocean Network Express announced Feb. 21 the successful completion of its trial of marine biofuel onboard the M/V MOL Endowment.

Conducted as part of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation’s pilot project to establish a quality, quantity and greenhouse-gas (GHG) abatement assurance framework for drop-in biofuels, the M/V MOL Endowment was refueled with 992 metric tons of marine biofuel product at the Port of Singapore Dec. 21.

The vessel, deployed on ONE’s Japan Straits Malaysia service, fully utilized the marine biofuel in 20 days.

Biofuel consumption started Jan. 7 after the vessel left the port of Kobe in Japan, passing Keelung, Hong Kong, and then sailed to Southeast Asia.

The marine biofuel was fully consumed Jan. 26 on its return voyage to Japan from Port Klang.

The marine biofuel used was B24, a blend of used cooking oil-based biodiesel (UCOME) and very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO).

The UCOME was certified for its sustainability in accordance with the internationally recognized International Sustainability and Carbon Certification standards.

The biofuel blend was supplied by Chevron, and it is considered a sustainable fuel that is similar to petroleum-derived marine fuels in terms of its operational application.

Tracing these biofuels along the supply chain from production to use is a key aspect of GCMD’s pilot to articulate a robust GHG-abatement assurance framework.

As such, the biofuel and its blends were dosed with a physical tracer and subjected to multiple samplings across its supply chain for laboratory analysis.

The resultant data will be used by GCMD as inputs in developing the assurance framework.

The trial required no modifications to the marine engines or fuel infrastructure. It also demonstrated that marine biofuel products can be considered drop-in fuels for reducing carbon emissions from ships.

The use and testing of the biofuel were performed in partnership with shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., and the biofuel was supplied in accordance with the standard on specifications of marine biofuel (WA2:2022) established by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

The trial also marked a step forward in digitization as the biofuel transaction was made digitally through the Singapore Trade Data Exchange (SGTraDex).

SGTraDex is a digital utility that facilitates the sharing of data between supply-chain ecosystem partners through a common data highway to enable the secure exchange of information.

During the biofuel trial, the exchange of documents between ONE and Chevron were made through SGTraDex.

These documents include the certificate of quality, bunkering sales confirmation, bunker delivery note and bunkering sales invoice (delivery).

Additionally, supporting documents, such as mass-flow meter (MFM) receipts, the MFM seals checklist, the meter-recording form and ISCC certification were also done digitally.

This digitization of bunkering documents helped to reduce the paper-based processes and made the transaction both more efficient and secure.

“The maritime industry has many interconnected players, and collaboration is key in moving our decarbonization ambition forward,” said Jeremy Nixon, CEO of Ocean Network Express. “It is encouraging to see the various partners at different points of the supply chain come together in this biofuel trial for the common goal of a better, more sustainable future. At ONE, digitization and decarbonization are some of our top business priorities. This fourth biofuel trial marks a step forward in our goal to achieve net zero by 2050.”