MOL launches Japan’s first B30 trial
On 26 June, MOL’s operated coal carrier Hokulink was refuelled with the biofuel at Yeosu Port in South Korea before beginning test operations for Hokuriku Electric Power Company.
The fuel used in this landmark trial is B30 biofuel — a blend consisting of 30% biomass-based materials, such as waste cooking oil, and 70% conventional mineral oil. It is certified by ISCC-EU (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) and is expected to cut CO₂ emissions by around 30% compared to traditional marine fuels.
This is the first time a Japanese power company has conducted a technical navigation trial using B30 biofuel. Importantly, the fuel can be used without any modifications to the ship’s existing diesel engines, making it a practical and immediate option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in shipping.
The emissions reduction from this voyage will also generate tradable low-carbon certificates through MOL’s carbon inset programme, the BLUE ACTION NET-ZERO ALLIANCE. This allows stakeholders across the supply chain to participate in and benefit from verified emissions reductions in shipping.
