Lloyd’s Register (LR) has launched a new Biofuel Advisory service to help shipowners, fuel suppliers and producers adopt biofuels safely and at scale.
According to LR, biofuels are emerging as one of the most proven and reliable alternative fuel options for reducing GHG emissions from shipping. The new service is designed to remove uncertainty for the industry by providing end-to-end support across the biofuel supply chain, from production and certification through to delivery and onboard use.
The initiative builds on two years of groundwork and combines LR’s energy transition advisory with the technical expertise of its Fuel Oil Bunker Analysis and Advisory Service (Fobas). Fobas’ experience with biofuels spans over 20 years, during which it has collaborated with shipowners, suppliers and producers to advance safe and scalable adoption of alternative fuels. This expertise has been applied to several industry firsts, including supporting United European Car Carriers (UECC) in spearheading the use of cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) as a sustainable marine fuel, and guiding Whitaker Tankers’ Whitchampion to achieve the first FAME B100 certification. This integrated approach gives clients clarity on regulatory compliance, fuel performance and operational risk, helping them make faster, more informed decisions.
LR has already worked with leading biofuel producers to assess the impact of regulation on market demand, supported major bunker suppliers in producing transparent documentation for buyers, and guided shipowners through the testing and operational steps needed to start using biofuels across their fleets.
James Frew, Director, LR Advisory, said: “Biofuels represent an immediate and practical solution, but owners need confidence on performance, safety and compliance. Our new Biofuel Advisory service brings together technical expertise and regulatory insight to provide the industry with confidence and clarity at every stage of the biofuel supply and adoption process.”
LR’s document Fuel for Thought: Biofuel gathers into one place relevant information on the use of biofuels in shipping, serving as a convenient reference for shipowners considering alternative fuel options for their fleets, and for maritime professionals seeking a deeper understanding of the zero-carbon transition. The report combines expertise from LR and other shipping knowledge leaders on topics including the characteristics and operational considerations for biofuels, regulatory drivers for biofuel adoption, techno-economic considerations, fuel quality and availability, and biofuel trials in shipping.
Image: Whitaker’s ‘Whitchampion’, the first LR-certified B100 FAME biofuel bunker vessel (source: Lloyd’s Register)
