MOL trials B30 marine biofuel on coal carrier

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

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. announced the refueling of its operated coal carrier Hokulink with marine biofuel June 26 at Yeosu Port in South Korea.

The Hokulink, which transports coal for Hokuriku Electric Power Co., then began technical trial voyages using the biofuel.

Refueling with biofuel at Yeosu Port in South Korea. (Photo: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd.)

The biofuel used for this refueling is certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification for EU standards and is blended at 30 percent with petroleum bunker fuel.

It is expected to reduce CO2 emissions during navigation by approximately 30 percent compared to conventional fossil fuels, according to MOL.

The shipping company said this marks the first use of B30 in a technical-trial navigation by a Japanese electric-power company.

The use of biofuels requires no modifications to conventional marine diesel engines, making them an effective alternative to fossil fuels and an effective means of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

Based on the environmental strategy in its Blue Action 2035 management plan, the MOL Group said it will continue to proactively adopt clean fuels with the aim of decarbonizing marine transport.

In addition, the low-carbon attributes of this voyage will be tradable as certificates through the MOL Group’s marine-transport carbon-inset program, Blue Action Net-Zero Alliance.