Norden, Spar Shipping partner to use marine biofuel provided by GoodFuels

Photo: GoodFuels

Norden, a leading global dry-bulk shipping company, has partnered with shipowner Spar Shipping AS to bunker approximately 1,100 metric tons of GoodFuels’ sustainable marine biofuel in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The marine biofuel will be used on two chartered vessels bound for Asia and Africa respectively, marking the first biofuel bunkering by Norden on chartered vessels.

This partnership is another great example of how market players can and should collaborate to decarbonize the shipping industry.

Following GoodFuels’ successful biofuel trial with Spar Shipping and Fleet Management Ltd. and its long-standing relationship with Norden, with which GoodFuels completed the world’s first ultra-low carbon and sulfur drop-in biofuel delivery back in 2018 and shares recent successes like successfully testing an isotopic tracer for marine biofuels, GoodFuels applauded both companies for this next step in their decarbonization journey.

One of the greatest advantages of marine biofuel over other low-carbon fuels is that it can be used onboard vessels without any adjustments to existing engines or fuel infrastructure.

This minimizes the risk for shipowners and creates a unique opportunity for them to start taking action and reduce emissions today.

“Biofuel is a key transition fuel on our journey to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Henrik Røjel, head of decarbonization and climate solutions at Norden. “We are pleased that a shipowner like Spar Shipping is equally keen to partner with us in accelerating the usage of biofuel in the maritime industry to the benefit of our customers and society at large.”

Jarle Ellefsen, CEO of Spar Shipping AS, highlighted the importance of facilitating the use of sustainable biofuel onboard the vessels to gain experience and to push the comfort zone in a deliberate manner. “It is very much greenfield work, and it is in our interest to participate to create a well-functioning market for sustainable biofuel where both availability and low cost are addressed through economies of scale,” he said. “What is not affordable is not sustainable either. To this end, we are all influencers these days.”

GoodFuels stated it is committed to providing sustainable and easily adoptable biofuels that empower shipping companies to reduce their fleet emissions and contribute to the joint, global objective of decarbonizing the shipping industry.

GoodFuels added that it looks forward to continuing to work with Norden and Spar Shipping AS to further grow sustainable biofuel uptake throughout the maritime industry.