U-Ming completes its 1st bunkering of B24 marine biofuel

Photo: U-Ming Marine Transport Corp.

U-Ming Marine Transport Corp. announced July 24 that its bulk carrier Asian Progress has completed its first bunkering of B24 marine biofuel (24 percent methyl-ester biodiesel) in the Port of Singapore.

This is U-Ming’s first vessel to use marine biofuel, marking what the company said is an important step toward its low-carbon shipping and net-zero carbon-emissions target by 2050.

Since 2023, U-Ming has actively promoted the low-carbon fuel substitution strategy and gradually increased the proportion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel used.

As of 2024, LNG fuel has accounted for just over 8 percent of the company’s overall energy use, which U-Ming said demonstrates “the concrete results of the low-carbon transformation.”

Since the use of low-carbon fuels such as LNG requires additional fuel tanks, however, small ships are limited by space configuration and face challenges in installation.

Therefore, U-Ming said the company took its Asian Progress ship as a starting point to introduce B24 marine biofuel, opening what U-Ming said is a new chapter in the application of low-carbon fuels for small ships.

The refueling was provided by oil trader TFG Marine Pte. Ltd., with a total of 300 metric tons.

It is expected to reduce the carbon emissions of ship fuel throughout its lifecycle (well-to-wake) by about 20 percent compared with traditional fuel, which will help U-Ming achieve its short- and medium-term goal of increasing the proportion of low-carbon fuel use by 2030 and also demonstrate the company’s action in implementing its commitment to sustainable shipping.