IKEA Transport & Logistics Services, the CMA CGM Group, and the GoodShipping Program have successfully completed the 2019 biofuel test programme on CMA CGM vessels, it was announced on 27 November.
This follows the positive trials of Heavy Fuel Oil-equivalent (HFO) Bio-Fuel Oil (GoodFuels BFO) during CMA CGM Alexander von Humboldt’s North Europe-Asia trip, which occurred in September and October 2019.
Earlier in March 2019, CMA CGM achieved the first refuelling of a container ship with sustainable biofuel when the CMA CGM White Shark took on a bunker during a call at the Port of Rotterdam.
Under the most recent trial sustainable biofuel was used in a blend with conventional fossil-based marine fuels to power a vessel on a major oceangoing route.
Technical Paper: A Path Towards Zero Emission Maritime Shipping
“This world premiere partnership with the GoodShipping Program and IKEA is further proof of the CMA CGM Group’s commitment to improving the sustainability of the shipping industry, and of its pioneering role in the development of innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions,” said Xavier Leclercq, Vice President – CMA Ships, CMA CGM Group.
“These landmark trials give the maritime sector a vital demonstration into the scalability, sustainability and technical compliance of marine bio-fuel oil, confirming CMA CGM’s leading role in the energy transition of the industry,” he added.
According to a statement from CMA CGM both applications of Bio-Fuel Oil showed a “positive result thus providing the technical compatibility of sustainable marine biofuels”.
The Bio-Fuel Oil trialled by CMA CGM across both vessels was supplied by leading biofuels company GoodFuels, and is the first ever HFO-equivalent biofuel. All GoodFuels sustainable marine fuels are virtually Sox free and deliver 80-90% well-to-propeller CO2 reduction versus fossil equivalents.
This announcement comes at a time when the industry is under increasing scrutiny to improve its sustainability and move towards decarbonisation. With scalability, bio-fuel oil effectively future-proofs requirements for shipowners and operators to comply with future regulations on carbon reduction by 2030 and 2050.
The trials were achieved through IKEA Transport & Logistics Services’ participation in the GoodShipping Program, the world’s first decarbonisation initiative for cargo owners.
“The GoodShipping Program is committed to helping more cargo owners unlock the potential of this direct decarbonisation option in the near future, as our sector continues to establish and embrace its wider carbon reduction efforts,” said Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO, The GoodShipping Program.
