Vitol launches new FuelEU-compliant coprocessed bunker fuel

The coprocessed marine biofuel is being produced by Vitol’s refinery in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates—a 100,000-barrel-per-day refinery. (Photo: Vitol Bunkers)

Vitol Bunkers announced April 28 it will offer customers FuelEU-compliant coprocessed bunkering fuel.

The fuel is being produced by Vitol’s refinery in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates—a 100,000-barrel-per-day refinery producing finished-grade bunker fuel—and will be marketed in multiple locations by Vitol Bunkers.

The coprocessed fuel, which conforms to RMG380 very-low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) grade, is the same chemical composition and quality as conventional fuel, eliminating the need for additional permissions or special clauses in charter party agreements.

Coprocessing enables a diverse range of sustainable feedstocks to be used in marine fuels, relieving competition with road transport, reducing pressure on crop-based feedstocks and increasing the viability of waste-based and advanced feedstocks, Vitol Bunkers said.

The coprocessing is certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification-EU scheme.

This certification requires stringent criteria to be met including an annual audit of the refinery and regular checks on product specification.

The carbon intensity of the sustainable element of the fuel is in line with used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME) and delivers a 70-plus percent reduction in greenhouse-gas intensity (GHGi) against the fossil-based alternative.

Monitoring of lower GHG-intensity fuels for compliance with FuelEU maritime regulations is done in conjunction with DNV’s Emissions Connect product where coprocessed and other sustainable fuels consumption is monitored for ultimate verification in 2026.

“DNV is pleased to support Vitol in addressing the compliance challenges of FuelEU maritime through our Emissions Connect solution,” said Helge Hermundsgård, the head of sales for Emission Connect at DNV. “Purpose-built to meet the regulatory complexities and help customers reduce the associated business risks, Emissions Connect allows owners, managers and charterers to consistently monitor and manage their emissions data from voyage to fleet, easily integrate data streams from data providers and quickly generate and share the required emissions statements. This ensures that maritime stakeholders like Vitol can prepare with confidence for the regulatory demands and commercial opportunities ahead.”

Ian Butler, Vitol’s head of energy transition for shipping, said, “With the recent introduction of FuelEU maritime, we are excited to expand our range of compliant fuels for customers, adding coprocessed VLSFO to our current range of biofuel blends up to B100. As regulatory complexity increases, we continue to innovate—bringing products to market that help our customers comply in the most efficient and convenient way for them.”

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