Sunoil, BFT convert barge to operate fully on 100% biodiesel

Photo: Sunoil

In collaboration with maritime-transport and inland-shipping company BFT, European biodiesel producer Sunoil has successfully converted the barge Birjo II to run on 100 percent biodiesel (B100).

The conversion of the barge to run on B100 marks an important step toward reducing emissions within inland shipping and demonstrates how existing barges can already contribute to a more sustainable transport sector.

The Birjo II, owned by DK Shipping, is a large barge used for transporting biofuels on Dutch inland waterways.

It is primarily used for transporting biodiesel from Sunoil’s production facility in Kampen, the Netherlands, to its storage locations, while also carrying out direct deliveries to customers.

By transitioning from fossil fuel to B100, the barge can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent while continuing normal operations without replacing the engine itself.

This makes Birjo II one of the first barges in the world capable of running fully on 100 percent biodiesel, according to Sunoil.

The project reflects the strong long-term collaboration between Sunoil and BFT and highlights a shared commitment to practical and scalable sustainability solutions within inland shipping.

The barge will be able to be fueled directly from Sunoil’s Kampen location, creating a fully integrated renewable fuel chain from production to transport and end use.

“What makes this project especially valuable for Sunoil is that Birjo II now operates on our own biodiesel while transporting renewable fuels between our locations and customers,” said Jeroen Hovius, Sunoil’s chief commercial officer. “Together with BFT, we are continuing a strong long-term collaboration focused on practical solutions that help make inland shipping more sustainable. At the same time, this project creates a platform for the conversion and rollout of multiple barges operating on B100 across Europe.”

The successful conversion of Birjo II demonstrates that existing inland shipping assets can already be adapted today to significantly reduce emissions.

It highlights how practical renewable fuel solutions can support a more sustainable future for inland shipping without requiring full vessel replacement.

“For our customers, everything revolves around reliability, quality and continuity,” said Johann de Koning, the general manager at BFT. “In Sunoil we have found a partner that shares those same values. Together with the Birjo II, we are taking an important step toward a more sustainable and efficient collaboration that we are proud of.”