Adnoc to Trial Biofuel for Ships as It Caps Sulphur Emissions
by Jennifer Gnana (The National) Adnoc preparing its fleet for stricter regulations capping emissions set to come into force in 2030 and 2050 — The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company will trial biofuel as a bunkering fuel for ships as it looks at alternative low-emission fuels to comply with global regulations to cap sulphur content released into the world’s oceans, according to the chief executive of the firm’s logistics and services subsidiary.
Low-emission fuels in shipping have become increasingly important for ship operators following the introduction of new rules capping sulphur emissions earlier this year, which has caused a spike in demand for certain categories of fuels.
“We’re studying with one of our subsidiary companies the usage of biofuel and how that can reduce fuel consumption to be meet some of the targets for [the] Adnoc group of companies,” Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, chief executive of Adnoc Logistics and Services, told The National in an interview.
“We are on [a] trial basis and I think within this year we can get the results of using how much blended biofuel can help us in achieving these targets,” he added.
The biofuels trial comes as the International Maritime Organisation mandated all vessels to reduce emissions of sulphur oxides from all ships from January 1. Allowable sulphur emissions have been cut to 0.5 per cent of fuel oil, from 3.5 per cent previously used.
Adnoc enforced the regulations across its entire fleet by November 2019, with the company now exploring other alternatives such as liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas as well as blended biofuel to carry its vessels.
Biofuel sourced from Adnoc Distribution, the group’s fuel distribution arm will be used to ferry offshore support vessels in Abu Dhabi on a trial basis, said Capt Al Masabi. READ MORE
Adnoc Logistics tests biofuel in its ships (Trade Arabia)