Marine biofuel trial voyage conducted on bulk carrier with wind-assisted propulsion

Photo: Iino Lines

Iino Kaiun Kaisha Ltd. announced March 9 that it and Electric Power Development Co. Ltd. conducted a biofuel trial voyage on the bulk carrier Yodohime, which is also equipped with a rotor sail.

The rotor sail is a wind-propulsion system installed on the vessel’s forecastle deck.

It utilizes the latest artificial-intelligence (AI) technology to automatically control the rotation, direction and speed of the rotor sail using real-time meteorological information, such as wind direction and wind speed, detected by sensors.

The Magnus effect generated when wind meets the rotating cylindrical sail produces a powerful thrust, which, in combination with the voyage-optimization system, is expected to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by approximately 6 percent to 10 percent.

This trial voyage using biofuel on a vessel equipped with wind-assisted propulsion technology marks the first such initiative by a Japanese electric-power company.

The biofuel was supplied at Zhoushan Port, China, in January and was used during a voyage from Australia to Japan.

The sea trials were successfully completed Feb. 15.

Following the sea trials, the vessel arrived in Japan in late February and has completed its voyage.

Compared to conventional fossil fuels, the marine biofuel is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 80 percent to 90 percent over its entire lifecycle, from fuel production to consumption.

Furthermore, Iino Lines added that biofuel is considered a carbon-neutral fuel because the plants used as raw materials absorb CO2 during their growth, offsetting the CO2 emitted during combustion.

The fuel used on this voyage was a blended fuel (B24) consisting of 24 percent biofuel mixed with very-low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO).

Biofuel can be used in existing marine diesel engines without any modification, contributing to CO2-emissions reduction as a clean alternative fuel to fossil fuels.

In its mid-term management plan, “The Adventure to Our Sustainable Future,” Iino Lines has set a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

In line with this vision, Iino Lines said it will continue to actively promote initiatives for clean marine-transport services.