Falmouth Harbour Launches Renewable HVO Marine Fuel for Lower-Carbon Boating

(Falmouth Harbor) After a successful year of testing Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) on its fleet of workboats Falmouth Harbour has become one of the first UK coastal harbours to extend sale of the fuel to leisure and commercial boat owners – introducing a renewable alternative to conventional marine diesel.

HVO is now available from the Harbour’s fuel berth at the Boat Park/Watersports Centre – a £50,000, 6,500 litre refuelling facility created with 50% match-funding from Cornwall Council’s Growth Hub Grants Programme. The investment was supported by the Government’s Low Carbon Levelling Up Fund which is helping accelerate practical decarbonisation across the maritime sector.

HVO fuel can reduce carbon emissions by 50-90% when compared with fossil fuel diesel and can be used by boat owners whose engines which are approved to the EN 15940 standard and who have checked with their manufacturer.

Falmouth Harbour’s Commercial Operations Manager Tristan Rowe is already using the fuel on his own boat – a Crabber 24 Mk I with a Beta 14 engine – and he says, “If you have a compatible boat and want to be greener it’s a no brainer to switch to HVO as it’s such a similar product.

HVO is a renewable paraffinic diesel fuel manufactured from sustainable waste-derived feedstocks. For compatible diesel engines approved for its use, it can significantly reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil diesel while offering such benefits as cleaner combustion, improved storage stability, reduced risk of diesel bug and lower diesel odour.

Falmouth Harbour Chief Executive Miles Carden says, “Harbours have a vital role to play in supporting the transition to lower-carbon maritime operations. “Whilst there is no single solution to decarbonisation, HVO provides a practical option for many existing vessels to reduce their environmental impact without major modifications or replacing engines.

“This investment, made possible through the Government’s Low Carbon Levelling Up Fund, shows how relatively modest public funding can unlock practical improvements that benefit boat owners, commercial operators and the wider environment.”

The new fuel has been tested across the Falmouth Harbour work fleet including the new £1.6M state-of-the-art Pilot Boat Atlantic, designed and built by Holyhead Marine in North Wales to be one of the cleanest, safest, most fuel-efficient Pilot Boats in the UK.

Falmouth Harbour’s HVO suppliers, Mitchell & Webber, confirm the premium, renewable HVO fuel has a chemical structure almost identical to regular diesel which it can replace in many marine engines.

Mitchell & Webber Director Tristan Weedon says, “We are delighted to work with Falmouth Harbour to improve access to renewable marine fuels in Cornwall. HVO is a proven renewable diesel that enables vessels to reduce their lifecycle carbon footprint immediately while continuing to operate efficiently and reliably.

“We hope this marks another important step in supporting the maritime sector’s transition to lower-carbon operations using existing infrastructure.”

Unlike conventional biodiesel (FAME), HVO is not biodiesel. It is a renewable paraffinic diesel manufactured to the EN 15940 standard and should only be used in engines and onboard equipment approved by the manufacturer.

Falmouth Harbour’s HVO delivery is by appointment: fuel cans can be filled between 9 and 5 Monday to Friday and Summer weekends, while direct delivery to vessels is one hour either side of high tide from the boat park quay wall or pontoon, depending on vessel type and size. Call the team on 01326 310999 or drop in to the boat park office to book a fuel delivery that suits.

To support customers, Falmouth Harbour has produced comprehensive guidance covering compatibility, refuelling and environmental good practice. The Harbour is also reminding customers that whilst HVO typically has less diesel odour than conventional fuel, it remains a fuel that must be handled carefully. Customers should always visually monitor for spills and overflowing tank breathers during refuelling, as reduced odour does not reduce the risk of pollution.

The launch forms part of Falmouth Harbour’s wider commitment to supporting innovation, sustainable marine operations and the transition to lower-carbon technologies across the Harbour.

For more information on this and all environmental and other work of Falmouth Harbour visit https://www.falmouthharbour.co.uk/ or visit the Harbour’s Leisure Team at the Marine Hub on Grove Place slipway. READ MORE