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New Energy World
New Energy World embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low carbon technologies.
Marine biofuels trial to help cut carbon emissions
1/6/2022
News
Rio Tinto and BP have agreed to work together on a one-year biofuel trial to help reduce carbon emissions from Rio Tinto’s marine fleet.
Under the trial, Rio Tinto will be trialling BP supplied marine biofuel on its RTM Tasman bulk carrier vessel on a mix of Transatlantic and Atlantic-Pacific routes. Reportedly one of the longest-duration marine biofuel trials to date, the findings will help Rio Tinto study ways to reduce carbon emissions from its marine fleet and inform its future biofuel strategy.
Rio Tinto Head of Commercial Operations Laure Baratgin comments: ‘Sustainable biofuels have the potential to be an important transition fuel on the way to net zero marine emissions… A longer-duration trial will provide important information on the potential role and wide scale use of biofuels, and aligns with our goals to reduce marine emissions across our value chain and support efforts to decarbonise the maritime industry.’
Rio Tinto’s goal is to reach net zero emissions from shipping of its products to customers by 2050 and to introduce net zero carbon vessels into its portfolio by 2030.
The extended trial agreement follows a successful journey by the RTM Tasman after it refuelled with biofuel in Rotterdam in March 2022 for the first time and then picked up its first load of the trial at the Iron Ore Company of Canada’s Sept-Îles port in Quebec in April. All biofuel refuelling during the trial will be at Rotterdam.
The trial is using a BP-manufactured B30 biofuel blend composed of 30% fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) blended with very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO). This B30 biofuel blend can reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions by up to 26% compared to standard marine fuel oil, reports BP.
FAME is a renewable alternative fuel (biodiesel) largely produced from recycled cooking oils and renewable oil sources. It has physical properties similar to conventional diesel, and is a ‘drop in fuel’ requiring no modifications to the engine or vessel. The origination and production of the feedstocks used to produce the FAME are certified for sustainability to internationally recognised standards.
The trial will analyse a series of engine and fuel performance factors, including engine efficiency and fuel consumption, corrosion and degradation, microbial growth, temperature impact, fuel switching impacts and fuel stability.
Rio Tinto reports that it is also accelerating the delivery of its climate commitments on shipping. It says it has delivered a 30% intensity reduction on its owned and time-chartered fleet from a 2008 baseline, and is on track to meet the International Maritime Organisation’s 2030 targets of a 40% reduction in emissions five years early, by 2025.
