Japan’s 1st Coastal Vessel Powered With Chemical-Free Biofuel Successfully Operated

Japan recently achieved a historic milestone by powering a coastal vessel with biofuel derived from used cooking oil that was not chemically treated.

This innovative initiative marks Japan’s first use of this type of biofuel for marine vessels.

The biofuel used in this revolutionary project is a blend of waste cooking oil sourced from Japanese vegetable oils and fats and heavy fuel oil.

This creative strategy is a significant step in Japan’s efforts to investigate alternative fuels for its maritime sector.

A research program on biofuel applications in the maritime industry enabled the supply of this biofuel to vessels in the Chukyo region.

The program was carried out in collaboration with Hanwa Co., Ltd., the biofuel supplier, and Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co., Ltd., the cargo shipper.

The vessel ran on this biofuel mixture for about a month, navigating the route between Mikawa Bay and Tokyo Bay, with no reported flammability or performance issues.

Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME), produced chemically from waste cooking oil and methanol, has traditionally been the primary raw material for biofuels.

In this project, however, cooking oil was mixed with heavy oil A at a biofuel ratio of 24% in its nearly initial state as straight vegetable oil (SVO).

The lack of methyl esterification or hydrogenation processes in creating SVO suggests that it may result in even more significant reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared to other biofuels.

Furthermore, it has the potential for low-cost production.

Biofuels are considered an environmentally friendly alternative fuel that can be smoothly integrated into vessels without changing the main engines or other critical components.

Biofuels, as emphasised in the “MOL Environmental Vision 2.2” update from April 2023, are a practical means of reducing carbon emissions, particularly in small coastal vessels with a shortage of space for extra machinery or storage tanks required for other alternative fuels.

This coastal vessel initiative comes after a previous sea trial in June that used liquefied biomethane fuel.

By actively participating in such initiatives, the MOL Group helps to reduce and decarbonise ocean transport, furthering Japan’s commitment to sustainable maritime operations.

Reference: MOL

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