by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We all know going from demo to commercial isn’t easy. Ensyn, a company that produces biocrude from forest and agricultural residues using its proprietary thermal technology and focuses on low carbon fuels and chemicals, knows all
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Back TO HOMEConversion Technologies: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to BETO’s Carbon-Based Fuels and Co-Products
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Why is working with biomass so challenging? Jonathan Male, Director at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) set out to answer that question at ABLC NEXT in San Francisco. Check out his illuminating
December 17, 2019 Read Full Article
S.Korea's SK Chemicals Explores Biodiesel Use in Shipping Fuel for IMO 2020
by Jane Chung (Reuters) * S.Korea No.1 biofuel maker testing marine fuel products - exec; * Clear IMO guidelines, legislation for biofuel blending needed; * Says capacity expansion under consideration -- SK Chemicals , South Korea’s top biofuel maker, has started tests on blending
December 16, 2019 Read Full Article
New Report on the Role of Biofuels for Shipping’s Decarbonisation Launched at UN Climate Change Conference
(World Wildlife Fund) The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) today launches the report The Role of Sustainable Biofuels in the Decarbonisation of Shipping: The findings of an inquiry into the sustainability and availability of biofuels for shipping at the UN Climate Change Conference
December 11, 2019 Read Full Article
MSC Becomes First Major Shipping Line to Use 30% Biofuel Blends
(Mediterranean Shipping Company) MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is pleased to announce that the company has started to use biofuel in its vessels calling in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Following successful trials with biofuel blends earlier this year, MSC has decided to
December 10, 2019 Read Full Article
How To Reach U.S. Net Zero Emissions By 2050: Decarbonizing Transportation
by Jeffrey Rissman (Forbes/Energy Innovation) ... Assuming power grid infrastructure and urban planning can keep pace with organic demand, without substantial additional policy intervention, transportation emissions from light-duty vehicles are projected to steadily decline more than half by 2050 (Figure 2). This
December 09, 2019 Read Full Article
IMO 2020: What Fleets Need to Know and How to Prepare
by Bill Zobel (Trillium/ACT News) Will the looming IMO 2020 sulfur regulation impact domestic diesel prices? How on-road fleets can turn to domestically produced fuels to avoid price volatility. -- There’s much debate about how the upcoming International Maritime Organization (IMO)
December 06, 2019 Read Full Article
NORDEN Enters New Biofuel Collaboration with Kvasir Technologies
(PortNews) NORDEN has entered into a partnership with Danish based Kvasir Technologies, a spinout from the Technical University of Denmark with a patented technology to produce fuel from plant material, the company said in its release. “At NORDEN, we want to drive
December 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Clean Marine Fuel in 2020: An Opportunity for Biofuel?
by Michael Newman (Parhelion Underwriting Inc./Biofuels Digest) 2018 saw the shipping industry take its first steps towards addressing the challenge of climate change when, at its 72nd session in April, IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) adopted an initial strategy to
December 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Pyrolysis Party and Who’s the Pilot Steering the Ship? BTG and GoodFuels to Invest in World’s 1st Marine Biofuel Refinery Based on Pyrolysis Oil
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... In the Netherlands, BTG and GoodFuels are preparing for major investment in a new biorefinery to support shipping’s low carbon fuels demands. Biomass technology group BTG will set up a new company that can convert
November 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Neste’s IMO 2020 Low-Sulfur Marine Fuel Available in Germany
(Neste Corp./Biodiesel Magazine) Neste and the German BMT Bunker und Mineralöltransport GmbH have signed a partner agreement concerning distribution and sales of Neste Marine 0.5. This new marine fuel, containing maximum 0.5 percent sulfur, has been available in Bremerhaven, Germany, since the
November 13, 2019 Read Full Article
LuminUltra Warns of Increased Microbial Influenced Corrosion with IMO 2020 Compliant Fuels
(Port News) LuminUltra, the microbial monitoring specialist, has highlighted important concerns over the quality of some compliant fuels as the shipping industry gears up towards meeting the International Maritime Organization’s sulphur cap, which enters into force in January. Commenting on the
November 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuels: Advancing European Market Uptake
by Vanessa Vivian Wabitsch (REVOLVE/BE Sustainable Magazine) Discovering the world, working with people across the globe, commuting to work everyday or consuming exotic fruits imported to Europe – nearly every European is used to at least one of these habits
November 11, 2019 Read Full Article
WEBINAR: Implications to the Global Supply Chain as IMO 2020 Approaches (APAC) --- November 19, 2019

he implementation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s plan to reduce the sulfur content of marine bunker fuel, from 3.5% to 0.5% in 2020 is just around the corner. It will have the largest impact on the refining and shipping industries. Join
November 05, 2019 Read Full Article
WEBINAR: Implications to the Global Supply Chain as IMO 2020 Approaches (Americas) --- November 12, 2019

The implementation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s plan to reduce the sulfur content of marine bunker fuel, from 3.5% to 0.5% in 2020 is just around the corner. It will have the largest impact on the refining and shipping industries. Join
November 05, 2019 Read Full Article
WEBINAR: Implications to the Global Supply Chain as IMO 2020 Approaches (EMEA) --- November 12, 2019

The implementation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s plan to reduce the sulfur content of marine bunker fuel, from 3.5% to 0.5% in 2020 is just around the corner. It will have the largest impact on the refining and shipping industries. Join
November 05, 2019 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2019 State of the Industry Address
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s ABLC Week and the semi-annual State of the Industry Address was a highlight at the opening of the on-stage presentations — known as a networking event but also featuring a slide deck and commentary
November 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Hurtigruten Tests Biodiesel that Potentially Can Change the Shipping Industry
(Hurtigruten) On the way to the goal of becoming completely emission free, Hurtigruten has as the first Norwegian cruise line started testing Biodiesel on board the ship MS Polarlys. This fuel can potentially reduce emissions with 95 percent. The world is on
October 31, 2019 Read Full Article
Alcohol, Biomethane and Ammonia Are the Best-Positioned Fuels to Reach Zero Net Emissions
(Maersk) A study by A.P. Moller - Maersk and Lloyds Register confirms that the best opportunities for decarbonizing shipping lie in finding new sustainable energy sources. Based on market projections, the best positioned fuels for research and development into net zero
October 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Shipping Industry Must Cut Sulphur Emissions before 2020, Says IMO Secretary-General
by Varsha Saraogi (Ship Technology) International Maritime Organization (IMO) secretary-general Kitack Lim has urged the shipping industry to boost its efforts to cut sulphur emissions by using IMO 2020-compliant fuels before the regulation deadline on 1 January 2020. The IMO has
October 24, 2019 Read Full Article
The Lowest Carbon Footprint by Design
(MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company) ... To help tackle climate change, MSC completed a program to retrofit more than 250 ships in its existing fleet with the latest green technologies, cutting about 2 million tons of CO2 emissions each year. Furthermore,
October 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Refuel as You Sail with Hydrogen
by Nick Savvides (American Shipper Freight Waves) ... Madadh (pronounced Maddy) MacLaine, CEO of Zero Emissions Maritime Technology, Ltd. believes that hydrogen’s time has come. MacLaine is also a founding member of the Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association, which was
October 08, 2019 Read Full Article
NORDEN Joins Shipping Decarbonisation Coalition
(NORDEN) NORDEN has signed up to become a member of the Getting to Zero Coalition. Launching at the United Nations Climate Action Summit this week, the Getting to Zero Coalition seeks to create awareness of the need for transition to zero
September 30, 2019 Read Full Article
Ocean Optimism: A To-Do List of Possible Climate Solutions
(Our Daily Planet) The IPCC Oceans report released on Wednesday painted a dire picture of the health of the ocean today. The ocean is a carbon sponge absorbing 93% of the carbon emitted thus far, and it is reaching a breaking point according
September 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Argus Fuel Oil Summit --- October 20-22, 2019 --- Miami, FL

Miami's flagship fuel oil and bunkering event. Join the international fuel oil markets this October for first-class networking and critical discussion of the factors impacting the markets.With January 1, 2020 quickly approaching, this is the time to secure your business
September 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Prospects for Biofuels Use by Other Transportation Modes
by Stephanie Mercier (Farm Journal AgWeb) ... While supporters of the U.S. biofuel industry will no doubt continue to advocate for some remedial action by the administration on the SRE/RFS issues, they should not overlook the fact that the U.S.
September 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Alternative Fuel Technologies Can Bridge the Gap
(Energy Transition Outlook 2019/DNV-GL) ... It is important to find technically feasible and cost-effective solutions for the deep-sea segment, accounting for more than 80% of world fleet CO2 emissions. Currently, the only technically applicable alternatives for this are liquefied natural gas
September 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Neste Introduces IMO 2020 Fuel, Announces New US Partnership
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Renewable diesel producer Neste Corp. announced Aug. 15 it will introduce a new fuel, Neste Marine 0.5, in the fourth quarter of this year, helping shippers comply with the International Maritime Organization’s 2020 sulfur cap of
August 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Transport Biofuels: Tracking Clean Energy Progress
by Pharoah Le Feuvre (International Energy Agency) Transport biofuel production expanded 7% year-on-year in 2018, and 3% annual production growth is expected over the next five years. This falls short of the sustained 10% output growth per year needed until
August 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Zero Emission Heavy Fuel Oil: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to GoodFuels’ Marine Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) GoodFuels is seeing a fast rise of low carbon marine fuels as a very logical one. The demand. The supply. The environmental impact. Even the economics. It’s all making sense now. In November, GoodFuels completed trials
August 07, 2019 Read Full Article
China Uniquely Placed to ‘Green’ Shipping
by Ned Molloy (China Dialogue Ocean) As the world’s largest exporter and shipbuilder, China could pave the way to a carbon-neutral global trading system -- The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, said last month that his country’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
August 01, 2019 Read Full Article
ABS Fuels Advisory Offers Guidance on Adoption of Gas, Low Flashpoint Fuels
(Biofuels International) Classification service provider the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has published its ‘Advisory on Gas and Other Low Flashpoint Fuels’, to offer guidance on current technologies, regulatory requirements and operational considerations for adopting gas and low flashpoint fuels. “The majority
July 05, 2019 Read Full Article
The Impending IMO Regulation and its Unknown Impact to Shipping
by Cliff Gladstein (GNA/Act News) One year ago, ACT News published an article calling attention to the possible worldwide ramifications of the January 1, 2020 change in marine fuel specifications. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations affiliated body that sets standards
July 03, 2019 Read Full Article
J-ENG and NYK Line Cooperate for Biofuel Research and Test
(Japan Engine Corporation) Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) has announced to cooperate with NIPPON YUSEN KAISHA (NYK Line) to start the research and development of biofuel using a test engine as one of solutions for decarbonization. The biofuel is a fuel derived from organic
May 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Refuel as You Sail with Hydrogen
by Nick Savvides (Freight Waves) ... One company has gone a step further and is looking at developing the zero-fuel ship. That is a vessel that creates its own fuel as it moves. ... Madadh (pronounced Maddy) MacLaine, CEO of Zero
May 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Sector Offers to Take More Canola
by Sean Pratt (Western Producer) Canada’s proposed Clean Fuel Standard is considered to be a major way that biodiesel demand could be expanded in Canada. The renewable fuel industry says a stronger domestic market would ease challenges caused by export volatility China’s canola
April 12, 2019 Read Full Article
VARO and GoodFuels Extend Partnership to Scale Bio Fuel Oil Availability to Deep Sea Segment
(GoodFuels) GoodFuels Bio Fuel Oil now available out of Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp, powered by VARO -- VARO Energy subsidiary REINPLUS FIWADO Bunker and GoodFuels have extended their partnership to improve availability of bio fuel oil (BFO) to deep sea vessels leaving from Rotterdam, the companies have announced
March 22, 2019 Read Full Article
Marine Biofuels Begin to Make Headway in Ocean Shipping
(Benzinga) Biofuels created by recycling used cooking oils are being tested by ocean-going ships in pilot trials around the world. Such biofuels may even be gaining acceptance by ocean-shippers, freight forwarders and ship operators. The latest news is from international container ocean carrier
March 14, 2019 Read Full Article
U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard Is Not Working: Marathon CEO
by David Gaffen and Erwin Seba (Reuters) The U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) laws are not working and there is an “opportunity for a reset” of the standard in Washington, Marathon Petroleum Corp Chief Executive Gary Heminger said on Tuesday. ... Heminger said
March 13, 2019 Read Full Article
IKEA, CMA CGM and the GoodShipping Program Join Forces to Test Sustainable Marine Bio-Fuel Oil
(GoodShipping Program) IKEA Transport & Logistics Services, CMA CGM, the GoodShipping Program and the Port of Rotterdam have today announced they will cooperate in a first of its kind partnership to test and scale the use of sustainable marine bio-fuel oil.
March 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Consumption, U.S. Recession in 2020, Oil-Led, Says Prominent US Economist
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida at the 24th National Ethanol Conference, US energy economist Phil Verleger said “I don’t see how we get through this in 2020 without a major recession,” referring to predictions of disruption in US and
February 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Fueling Debate
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) FUELING DEBATE: ConservAmerica Chairwoman Nan Hayworth urged National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow to "avoid or soften the negative impacts" from upcoming international rules requiring cleaner-burning shipping fuels. The Feb. 4 letter warned that
February 06, 2019 Read Full Article
LR and UMAS Release New ‘Zero-Emission Vessels Transition Pathways’ Study.
(Lloyd's Register) A study that examines three key energy pathways to help identify the actions required for the shipping industry to transition to a zero-carbon future by 2050. -- Today, Lloyd’s Register (LR) and University Maritime Advisory Services (UMAS) have released ‘Zero-Emission
January 31, 2019 Read Full Article
Ready for Take Off? Aviation Biofuels Past, Present, and Future
by David Hitchcock (Atlantic Council) ... However, the importance of powering the aviation sector (both military and commercial) through sustainable fuels cannot be overstated. David Hitchcock’s paper, “Ready for Takeoff? Aviation Biofuels Past, Present, and Future,” provides a keen look at
January 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Calls for Stricter ISO Standards of Biodiesel in Marine Fuel
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Germany, the International Union of Marine Insurance said in its December quarterly newsletter that more than 100 vessels have been negatively impacted by biodiesel-contaminated fuel and as a result is calling for stricter ISO standards beyond the
December 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Coming Changes in Marine Fuel Sulfur Limits Will Affect Global Oil Markets
(U.S. Energy Information Administration) International regulations limiting sulfur in fuels for ocean-going vessels, set to take effect in January 2020, have implications for vessel operators, refiners, and global oil markets. Stakeholders will respond to these regulations in different ways, increasing uncertainty
December 19, 2018 Read Full Article
Ethanol’s New Way Forward: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide ABLC Guide to Byogy Renewables
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Byogy Renewables is producing full replacement renewable fuels for all modes of transport, including heavy transport sectors. Kevin R. Weiss, President/Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Byogy gave this illuminating presentation on the upgrading of ethanol to
December 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuels for the Marine Shipping Sector: An Overview and Analysis of Sector Infrastructure, Fuel Technologies and Regulations
by Chia-wen Carmen Hsieh and Claus Felby (University of Copenhagen/IEA Bioenergy) The merchant shipping sector is one of the mayor players in world trade. More than 80% of all goods are transported via international shipping routes. The sector consumes more