India’s largest private-sector shipping firm trials B20 marine biofuel

Photo: The Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd.

With support from India’s director-general of shipping and the Indian Registry of Shipping, the Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd. announced May 25 that it has successfully completed India’s first marine biofuel trials on a medium-range tanker in international waters.

The marine biofuel—a blend of 20 percent fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), or biodiesel, certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification body and 80 percent very-low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO)—was bunkered at Dubai anchorage in the United Arab Emirates from the German company Uniper Energy.

“There were no challenges faced during these trials,” the company stated.

The Great Eastern Shipping Company is India’s largest private-sector shipping firm, which owns and commercially manages a fleet of tankers and bulk carriers.

“This trial is a milestone in our journey towards decarbonization,” stated the Great Eastern Shipping Company.