BHP, Goodfuels to test biofuel for marine vessels

The two energy providers have agreed to collaborate on a pilot project as part of a greater discussion on the use of biofuels as a sustainable alternative fuel for the future of shipping.    Energy providers BHP and GoodFuels signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to collaborate on a biofuels pilot project in Singapore at the biofuel roundtable organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
   Slated for operation next year, the project is part of a greater discussion on the use of biofuels as a sustainable alternative fuel for the future of shipping.
   “We are pleased to facilitate discussions on the biofuels front along with our partners, BHP and GoodFuels. The roundtable comes at an opportune time in light of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 0.5 percent global sulphur cap on marine fuels which will come into effect from 2020, as well as IMO’s longer term plan to lower carbon emissions for shipping,” said Andrew Tan, chief executive of MPA. “MPA welcomes dialogues across stakeholders and will continue to work with relevant parties as we prepare the bunkering industry for the future.”
   MPA continues to seek collaborative partnerships with shipowners on the bio-energy front, including finding solutions to barriers to the use of biofuels, given that Singapore is the largest bunkering hub in the world.
   “We are very proud that our ‘biofuel-footprint’ of supply locations and sustainable customers is spreading from Europe to the largest bunkering port in the world and our first Asian partner as well,” said Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO of GoodFuels. “From now on, sustainable marine biofuels are available in Singapore for those ship and freight owners that want to eliminate their carbon and sulphur emissions.”
   Abdes Karimi, manager of ocean freight operations and sustainability at BHP, said that, “In a world fighting to combat climate change, it is important that marine biofuels get in the ‘evoked set’ of options for shippers to choose from. Today, BHP is proud to have taken the leading role in this initiative.”