GERMAN shipping line Hapag-Lloyd is turning to biofuel to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from its ships.
Hapag-Lloyd said it has tested a blend of 80 per cent low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and 20 per cent biodiesel based on cooking oils and fats to create a so-called B20 fuel, used for the first time on the 4,402-TEU Montreal Express containership.
The biodiesel generates up to 90 per cent less CO2 emissions than conventional bunker fuels, reported Seatrade Maritime News, Colchester, UK.
'By the end of this year, we want to have reduced our specific CO2 emissions by 50 per cent compared to the reference year 2008. Biofuels like 'B20' can help us reach this target. This is because, in addition to having a low sulphur content, the fuel also emits less climate-damaging CO2 during combustion,' explained senior director sustainability management Jorg Erdmann.
The carrier intends to use the test run with the Montreal Express, which operates in the St Lawrence Coordinated Service 2 (AT 2) between Europe and Canada, to gain experience and information on the properties of the fuel in real-world use.
Senior director purchasing and supply Jan Christensen added: 'We are checking to see whether the share of biodiesel has any adverse effects on the equipment and the fuel processing on board the vessel. If the test is successful, more ships from Hapag-Lloyd's fleet could operate using the 'B20' fuel in future.'
WORLD SHIPPING
Hapag-Lloyd said it has tested a blend of 80 per cent low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and 20 per cent biodiesel based on cooking oils and fats to create a so-called B20 fuel, used for the first time on the 4,402-TEU Montreal Express containership.
The biodiesel generates up to 90 per cent less CO2 emissions than conventional bunker fuels, reported Seatrade Maritime News, Colchester, UK.
'By the end of this year, we want to have reduced our specific CO2 emissions by 50 per cent compared to the reference year 2008. Biofuels like 'B20' can help us reach this target. This is because, in addition to having a low sulphur content, the fuel also emits less climate-damaging CO2 during combustion,' explained senior director sustainability management Jorg Erdmann.
The carrier intends to use the test run with the Montreal Express, which operates in the St Lawrence Coordinated Service 2 (AT 2) between Europe and Canada, to gain experience and information on the properties of the fuel in real-world use.
Senior director purchasing and supply Jan Christensen added: 'We are checking to see whether the share of biodiesel has any adverse effects on the equipment and the fuel processing on board the vessel. If the test is successful, more ships from Hapag-Lloyd's fleet could operate using the 'B20' fuel in future.'
WORLD SHIPPING