Lloyd’s Register launches biofuel-advisory service to help accelerate shipping’s decarbonization

The new service was launched at an exclusive event, hosted by Lloyd’s Register during London International Shipping Week. (Photo: Lloyd’s Register)

Lloyd’s Register has launched its new biofuel-advisory service at London International Shipping Week to help shipowners, fuel suppliers and producers adopt biofuels safely and at scale.  

Biofuels are emerging as one of the most proven and reliable alternative-fuel options for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions from shipping.

Lloyd’s Register’s new service is designed to remove uncertainty for the industry by providing end-to-end support across the biofuel supply chain, from production and certification through to delivery and onboard use. 

The initiative builds on two years of groundwork and combines Lloyd’s Register’s energy-transition advisory with the technical expertise of its fuel-oil bunker analysis and advisory service (FOBAS).

FOBAS’s experience with biofuels spans over 20 years, during which it has collaborated with shipowners, suppliers and producers to advance safe and scalable adoption of alternative fuels.

This expertise has been applied to several industry firsts, including supporting United European Car Carriers in spearheading the use of cashew-nut shell liquid (CNSL) as a sustainable marine fuel, and guiding Whitaker Tankers’ Whitchampion to achieve the first FAME B100 certification.

This integrated approach gives clients clarity on regulatory compliance, fuel performance and operational risk, helping them make faster, more informed decisions. 

Lloyd’s Register has already worked with leading biofuel producers to assess the impact of regulation on market demand, supported major bunker suppliers in producing transparent documentation for buyers, and guided shipowners through the testing and operational steps needed to start using biofuels across their fleets. 

“Biofuels represent an immediate and practical solution, but owners need confidence in performance, safety and compliance,” said James Frew, the director of Lloyd’s Register advisory. “Our new biofuel-advisory service brings together technical expertise and regulatory insight to provide the industry with confidence and clarity at every stage of the biofuel supply and adoption process.” 

The new service was launched at an exclusive event, hosted by Lloyd’s Register during London International Shipping Week.

In the 90-minute session, “Lloyd’s Register Fuel for Thought: The Biofuel Briefing—Strategy, Supply & Safety,” Lloyd’s Register’s specialist advisory team and industry-leading experts discussed future outlooks, cost benefits and regulatory compliance and what to consider once the decision for biofuels has been taken. 

Fuel for Thought: Biofuel  gathers into one place the most relevant information on the use of biofuels in shipping, serving as a convenient reference for shipowners considering alternative fuel options for their fleets, and for maritime professionals seeking a deeper understanding of the zero-carbon transition.

The report combines expertise from Lloyd’s Register and other knowledge leaders in shipping on topics including the characteristics and operational considerations for biofuels, regulatory drivers for biofuel adoption, technoeconomic considerations, fuel quality and availability, and biofuel trials in shipping.  

Fuel for Thought  is Lloyd’s Register’s industry-leading series of reports and webinars on alternative-fuel sources for ships. 

Through expert analysis and critical insights, each edition provides a comprehensive and informative overview of the latest technology advances, policy developments and emerging trends and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field.  

For more information, click here.