UECC, GoodFuels begin biofuel trials on Zeebrugge-Santander route

UECC and GoodFuels have launched a joint trial of a new grade of biofuel oil (BFO) on the vehicle carrier Autosky.

The three-month trial will test around 3,000 tonnes of sustainable biofuel on the 140-metre vessel. Bunkering will take place at the Port of Rotterdam while Autosky will test the BFO on its normal route between Zeebrugge, Belgium, and Santander, Spain.

The two companies claim the use of BFO on this route will result in a reduction of more than 6,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions on a well-to-wake basis.

The BFO to be used is a residual fuel-equivalent biofuel, requiring no changes to marine engines. The biofuel “drops in” to normal fuel tanks, virtually eliminating CO2 and substantially reducing SOx.

Due to the absence of sulphur, the BFO can also be used to replace distillate fuels.