Mitsui OSK Lines operates bunkering vessel on biodiesel blend above 30%

Photo: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. announced Feb. 9 that the bunkering vessel Techno Star, owned and operated by its group company MOL Techno-Trade Ltd., has been successfully operated using biodiesel fuel supplied by Aburatou Shoji K.K.

The marine biofuel used for the vessel is fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel) generated through transesterification of collected waste cooking oil with methanol. The biodiesel supplied for the vessel was mixed at more than 30 percent with Class A heavy fuel, representing a first for Japan, according to Mitsui O.S.K. Ltd.

In addition, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK) certified that NOx emissions from the vessel during biodiesel fuel combustion are within emissions limits set by international regulations, including the MARPOL Treaty. This is the first certification by Class NK in Japan.

The MOL Group set a target of achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050 announced in June. It calls for an initiative on the adoption of clean alternative fuels to achieve this target.