Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), NYK Group company Asahi Shipping and Kobe Steel have reported a successful trial of bio-diesel fuel on bulk carrier ‘Sunrise Serenity’ during a voyage between Kobe, Japan, and Newcastle, Australia.
The bio-diesel fuel was supplied using ship-to-ship transfer in the port of Kobe by Toyota Tsusho Marine Fuels Corporation. Sunrise Serenity carries cargoes for Kobe Steel. The vessel is operated and managed by Asahi Shipping and jointly owned by NYK and Asahi Shipping. This test voyage was a joint effort by the three companies, each with its own aim.
- NYK has a long-term goal to reduce GHG emissions in its oceangoing businesses to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
- Asahi Shipping aims to decarbonise marine transport in its supply chain.
- Kobe Steel aims for a sustainable society through integrated efforts to promote a low-carbon, recycling-based society.
The three companies expect the test voyage will contribute to spreading the bio-fuel supply chain in the Kansai and Setouchi areas. Biofuels can be used in marine engines as an alternative to heavy oil. Biofuels are made from organic resources (biomass) derived from living organisms and are considered to have virtually zero CO2 emissions when burned.
The fuel used in the trial was refined by methyl esterification of vegetable oils and is expected to offer an alternative fuel to petroleum-derived heavy crude and light oil. Bio-fuels emit CO2 during combustion, but since plants, the raw material, absorb CO2 and reproduce biomass, CO2 emissions from direct combustion are considered virtually zero. According to NYK, bio-fuels are attracting attention as an alternative to fossil fuels that can be carbon neutral.
