NYK Line tests marine biofuel on coal carrier for Tohoku Electric Power

The Noshiro Maru. (Photo: NYK Line)

Japanese shipping company NYK Line started a marine biofuel test run Feb. 9 on its coal carrier Noshiro Maru, which is operated for Tohoku Electric Power Co. Inc.

This is the first time in Japan that a coal carrier has been used to test marine biofuel for a domestic power utility company.

Supply of biofuel for the Noshiro Maru. (Photo: NYK Line)

Mitsubishi Corporation Energy Co. Ltd. in the Keihin area facilitated the supply of biofuel for the vessel.

Biofuels are made from organic resources of biological origin such as agricultural residues and waste cooking oil.

They are considered to produce virtually zero carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions when combusted, according to NYK Line.

Although biofuels emit CO2 during combustion, the plants absorb CO2 and reproduce biomass.

Thus, CO2 emissions during direct combustion are considered to be virtually zero, NYK Line noted, adding that biofuels are considered to be a fossil-fuel substitute that can become carbon neutral.

Since they can be used in heavy-oil-powered ship engines, which are common on large merchant ships, biofuels are considered a key means of reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions in the transition period from heavy oil to zero-emission fuels.

Using biofuel to reduce GHG emissions during sea navigation also contributes to reducing scope 3 GHG emissions generated by transporting customers’ cargo.

Scope 3 emissions are indirect GHG emissions associated with an entire corporate supply chain, including emissions that occur across the supply chain and outside the organization’s direct control, such as raw-material sourcing, product transport, product use and disposal.

NYK said it will continue to focus on introducing biofuels and other next-generation fuels, and will contribute to reducing GHG emissions in its customers’ supply chains while promoting decarbonization in marine transport.