OOCL completes trial voyage with biofuel

The biofuel was supplied by Chevron Singapore and used to fuel the 4,578 teu OOCL Yokohama. The vessel received 1999.3 metric tons of B22 marine biofuel at the Port of Singapore. The 41-day trial voyage commenced on 26 June and ended on 5 August. Deployed in OOCL’s AAA1 service in the Southeast Asia – Australia network, the vessel started its round trip at Singapore, went southward to call at a number of Australian ports, and then returned to Singapore.

The biofuel supplied by Chevron Singapore was blended with ISCC certified Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester as a 22% component of the VLSFO. This biofuel can be used on vessels without changing engine specifications and is expected to decrease approximately 15% to 20% of exhausted CO2 based on lifecycle analysis.

Kenny Ye, Chief Operating Officer at OOCL, said: “We are very pleased with the positive results of the trial. Biofuels are considered to be one of the most credible options to enable the shipping industry both to meet future regulatory requirements, and to advance further with the transition towards decarbonization. The success of this trial provides OOCL with certainty as to the feasibility of using sustainable biofuels on its ships, which gives us increased clarity over the next steps in our decarbonization journey.”

“As Chevron looks to grow our marine biofuels business in the region, we are pleased with the success of the biofuel trial with OOCL,” said Frankie Lee, vice president of Chevron Product Supply and Trading, Asia Pacific. “Chevron is committed to partnering with key shipowner customers to provide lower carbon solutions including biofuels. As partners with the Global Center for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), we will play an active role in developing the biofuels landscape in Singapore.”