Inland Waterway Transport CFT, Subsidiary of Sogestran group, experimenting with biofuel HVO, and committed to the energy transition with Altens as its partner

(Biofuels Central) Inland waterway transport CFT, subsidiary of Sogestran group, experimenting with biofuel HVO, and committed to the energy transition with Altens as its partner.

As the French and European leader in waterway transport, Sogestran is at the forefront of the energy transition and of the decarbonisation of this mode. Since February, the ship operator has been experimenting with Altens’ HVO biofuel.

Carried out under real operating conditions on the Sandre self-propelled vessel, this six-month-long experiment on the Seine in Paris is a first for inland waterway transport in France.

It is in this context that Sogestran and its subsidiary Compagnie Fluviale de Transport (CFT) have joined forces with Altens to test its HVO biofuel for six months.

“This test, begun in February, is being conducted under real operating conditions. It involves our Sandre self-propelled vessel, which supplies cement to concrete plants on the banks of the Seine in Paris and sets out from Gennevilliers”.

Within Sogestran’s fleet of 150 vessels, the Sandre is already a very environmentally efficient self-propelled vessel, thanks to its innovative diesel-electric engine.

As part of the experiment, HVO biofuel (standard EN 15940) is being substituted for diesel fuel on board the Sandre.

Etienne Valtel and Mohamed Bennama, the co-founders of Altens, the leading French supplier of a complete range of alternative non-fossil fuels:

HVO is a Premium alternative fuel, and is ISCC-certified: this is a standard based on the European Renewable Energy Directive. Compared to diesel, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%, particulate matter by 65%, carbon monoxide by a quarter, and nitrogen oxides by over a third.

This fuel, which is a Premium one in terms of its ecological and technical performance, is miscible with diesel.

As the leading French supplier of a complete range of non-fossil fuel alternatives for the transport sector, Altens offers a unique service to support transporters and their clients in the energy transition of their logistics, on the basis of flexible, turnkey solutions adapted to each company:

BioNGV: a biogas obtained from the methanisation of various kinds of organic wastes, classified as CRIT’AIR 1. Altens is involved in the development, financing, and management of compressed biogas stations.

The Sogestran group is the leading French river shipping company and a key maritime shipping company. It designs tailor-made solutions for its clients in France and abroad.

Oil, chemicals and gas, dry bulk, heavy XXL goods, and military freight are transported all over the world thanks to its own fleet of 200 units. The Compagnie Fluviale de Transport (CFT) manages the Sogestran group’s river transport activities. The multimodal transport and industrial services markets complement this range of activities. Thanks to its experience in the field and its know-how, developed by its Technical Department and based on fundamental human and environmental values, the Group is readying the clean transport of tomorrow. www.sogestran.com READ MORE