Advanced BioFuels USA

(d’Amico Group) d’Amico Group, ABS, LR FOBAS, MAN Energy Solutions, RINA, the Liberian Registry and
Trafigura announce positive results in this lifecycle strategy decarbonization project — The joint industry project launched in June 2021 to test biofuel blend (B30) derived from renewable feedstock to power a d’Amico Group LR1 product tanker, showed very positive findings in terms of the reduction of CO2 emissions, reduced carbon intensity, and stable NOx emissions. The results of the trials showed that the biofuel B30 blend is a viable solution to comply with EU Fuel regulations being introduced from 1 January 2025 on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport.  The trials also showed that depending on the scale up of feedstock production worldwide, adding the biofuel blend as a “drop in” to traditional maritime fuels is a viable measure to reduce emissions.

Following these results and ahead of the new regulations, the d’Amico Group has certified through the Flag administration all its LR1 vessels to operate permanently with the B30 biofuel blend. The Group also intends to certify its entire fleet and to test biofuel B40 and B50 following the same methodology during 2022.

The trial followed the appropriate EU Fuel regulations/guidelines on calculating CO2 emissions using well-to-wake analysis. The results were:

• a 4.3% reduction of CO2 emissions per ton of fuel and a resulting CII (gCO2/dwt tonne mile) of 3.99, with an improvement of 3.5% using very low sulphur fuel oils allowing an “A” vessel rating until 2026.

• confirmation from class and flag state that the biofuel blend B30 does not affect the Tier II certification of the engines for NOx compliance. Both main engines and diesel generators were tested for NOx compliance using the data measured allowed by the NOx technical code.

• an effective CO2 emissions reduction per ton of fuel by 25.3%, applying the Defra methodology. This methodology was used in anticipation of the approval of the WTW analysis framework by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and awaiting from the IMO clear indications on which methodology will be applied.

The trials were conducted from June 19th to July 6th,2021 on board the d’Amico Group LR1 product tanker vessel M/T Cielo di Rotterdam. The biofuel blend B30 was supplied by Trafigura maritime fuel supply and procurement joint venture TFG Marine in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region.

This important project demonstrated how industry players are increasingly working collaboratively to reach joint decarbonization goals. The combined strategic vision and technical capabilities of charterers, original engine manufacturers, shipowners, fuel suppliers and regulatory bodies confirms how research studies can be shared to explore all options to decarbonize shipping. READ MORE