Zenith Energy receives 1st shipment of SAF from Montana Renewables

Zenith Energy terminal in Portland, Oregon (Photo: Zenith Energy)

Zenith Energy, a global operator of independent liquid-storage terminals, announced June 7 that it received the first shipment of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Montana Renewables to its Portland, Oregon, fuel-storage facility June 5.

“This historic event advances Zenith’s commitment to the city of Portland to remove 100 percent of all crude oil from their storage facility by October 2027,” the company stated.

Zenith expects renewable fuel storage to account for over 40 percent of the storage capacity by the end of this year.

“Zenith is proud to uphold its commitment to help Portland, and the broader West Coast, advance its clean energy transition,” said Grady Reamer, chief commercial officer of Zenith Energy.

“We look forward to completely eliminating crude oil at our Portland storage terminals over the next few years, and sustainable aviation fuel will be a key part of this transition,” Reamer added.

SAF is a type of fuel that is designed to reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation industry.

It is made from sustainable, renewable, low-carbon feedstocks such as agricultural byproducts or nonedible natural seed oils and has lower emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.

The use of SAF can help the aviation sector meet its goals of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Additionally, SAF has similar performance characteristics as conventional jet fuel, making it an attractive alternative for airlines to use.

With Montana Renewables producing an estimated 30 million gallons of SAF each year, Zenith’s Portland location will be pivotal in redirecting the use of low-carbon fuels that will be used in air travel and shipping.

Zenith has committed more than $130 million to its Portland terminal over the past five years, and the company expects to spend another $25 million to support the location’s transition to renewable fuels.

Montana Renewables will be regularly shipping its SAF to Zenith’s Portland facility.

Zenith will store the SAF for Shell, which will then distribute it to West Coast airports.