Orient Overseas Container Line completes trial voyage with marine biofuel from Chevron

Photo: Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd.

Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd. announced Sept. 28 the successful completion of the trial use of marine biofuel supplied by leading global energy company Chevron Singapore Pte Ltd. on MV OOCL Yokohama.

This is the first time that OOCL has trialed the use of biofuel in its fleet.

The MV OOCL Yokohama, a 4,578 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) container vessel, was fueled with 1,999.3 metric tons of B22 marine biofuel June 24, provided by Chevron from the Port of Singapore.

The 41-day trial voyage began June 26 and ended Aug. 5.

Deployed in OOCL’s AAA1 service in the Southeast Asia-Australia network, the vessel started its round trip at Singapore, went southward to call at a number of Australian ports, and then returned to Singapore.

The biofuel supplied by Chevron Singapore was a 22 percent blend of methyl ester biodiesel made from used cooking oil and certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification scheme with very-low sulfur fuel oil.

This biofuel can be used on vessels without changing engine specifications and is expected to decrease approximately 15 percent to 20 percent of exhausted CO2 based on lifecycle analysis.

“We are very pleased with the positive results of the trial,” said Kenny Ye, chief operating officer at OOCL. “Biofuels are considered to be one of the most credible options to enable the shipping industry both to meet future regulatory requirements, and to advance further with the transition towards decarbonization. The success of this trial provides OOCL with certainty as to the feasibility of using sustainable biofuels on its ships, which gives us increased clarity over the next steps in our decarbonization journey. We would like to thank our long-term partner Chevron, a leading provider of reliable and ever cleaner energy, for achieving this new milestone with us. OOCL will continue to work closely with our partners and all stakeholders to strive for further advancement in our sustainability roadmap to create a greener future.”

Frankie Lee, vice president of Chevron product supply and trading in the Asia-Pacific region, added, “As Chevron looks to grow our marine biofuels business in the region, we are pleased with the success of the biofuel trial with OOCL. Chevron is committed to partnering with key shipowner customers to provide lower-carbon solutions including biofuels. As partners with the Global Center for Maritime Decarbonisation, we will play an active role in developing the biofuels landscape in Singapore.”

Headquartered in Hong Kong, OOCL is one of the world’s largest integrated international container transportation and logistics companies, with over 125 offices in more than 100 major cities. Linking Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa and Oceania, the company offers transportation services to all the major trading economies of the world. OOCL is also an industry leader in the use of the latest technologies to enhance global supply chains.