Wallenius Wilhelmsen conducts 1st biofuel bunkering in Japan

Photo: Wallenius Wilhelmsen

Wallenius Wilhelmsen announced Feb. 17 that it has successfully completed its first biofuel bunkering trial in Japan, marking a significant step in the company’s global decarbonization efforts.

At the Port of Yokohama, the M/V Tamesis bunkered 400 metric tons of B24 marine biofuel supplied by Mitsubishi Corporation Energy Co. Ltd.

This milestone is part of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainability in shipping.

As part of its commitment to reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions, Wallenius Wilhelmsen has expanded its locations for biofuel supply.

Since 2023, the expansion has included key ports in Belgium, Korea and Singapore.

The company said expanding to Japan enhances its ability to operate more efficiently and sustainably across its global network.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen has set ambitious emission-reduction targets to reach net-zero by 2040.

This includes a 40 percent absolute reduction of well-to-wake GHG emissions by 2030 compared to its 2022 baseline, as approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.

“Achieving these targets require a major shift in energy sources from conventional fuels to low and zero-carbon alternatives,” said Yasuyuki Sakurai, senior manager of the Orcelle Accelerator taskforce at Wallenius Wilhelmsen. “Expanding supply locations and securing sufficient biofuels remain a priority, and we are pleased to have conducted our first B24 very-low sulfur fuel oil-blended biofuel bunkering trial in Yokohama. While our reduced-carbon service customers fully support our mass-balance concept, ensuring sufficient biofuel usage across our entire fleet and trade lanes is key to achieving our long-term sustainability goals.”

Mitsuo Ueda, the general manager of Mitsubishi Corporation Energy Co. Ltd., also highlighted the significance of the collaboration.

“In anticipation of growing demand for biofuel in the marine sector, we have begun storing biofuel at our oil terminal in Onahama (Fukushima Prefecture) and supplying B24 in Tokyo Bay using our barges,” Ueda said. “We deeply admire Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s leadership in the decarbonization of the shipping industry and remain committed to playing our part in creating a more sustainable future. We will continue striving to meet industry needs through a stable supply of biofuels and contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.”

The milestone was achieved through close collaboration between Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s energy-sourcing team and the Orcelle Accelerator taskforce, which has worked for the past two years to establish biofuel bunkering capabilities in Japan.

The company said it remains dedicated to expanding its sustainable-fuel options and accelerating the transition to cleaner-shipping solutions.