Minship trials biofuel on bulk carrier

The fuel bunkered was Goodfuels’ product MR1-100, a second-generation biofuel produced from certified feedstock labelled as waste or residue.

The vessel, MV Trudy, a 30,790-dwt bulk carrier, will only use biofuel in its main engines for the next eight to 10 days. Minship expects this to result in the vessel generating up to 90% fewer CO₂ emissions than if it was burning conventional shipping fuel.

Minship said adopting biofuel is a step towards the company and its customers attempting to reach CO₂ reduction goals.

Throughout the biofuel trial voyage, relevant performance indicators will be closely monitored to help inform future operations. In addition, further trials on Minship-managed vessels are planned with a view to making biofuel an alternative for the company’s managed fleet to reduce its carbon footprint.

Minship Shipmanagement managing director Markus Hiltl said the trial was a “significant landmark” and added "following more than a year of preparations between multiple stakeholders, including shipowners, fuel suppliers, flag states, insurance companies and manufacturers, the initiation of this trial, led by subsidiary organisation Minmarine, has only been possible through the vision and support of Goodfuels”.

In March, a Stena tanker underwent a similar trial. Over the past year, a number of companies including IKEA Transport & Logistics Services, NYK Line and CMA CGM have begun trialling Goodfuel’s product as biofuels continue to show promise.