Hapag-Lloyd’s Montreal Express has refuelled with so-called ‘B20’ fuel, which generates up to 90% less CO2 emissions than conventional fuels, for the first time at Rotterdam.
The fuel consists of 80% low-sulphur fuel oil and 20% biodiesel based on cooking oils and fats that had previously been used in the food service/catering industry.
Jörg Erdmann, senior director of sustainability management at Hapag-Lloyd, said: “By the end of this year, we want to have reduced our specific CO2 emissions by 50% compared to the reference year 2008.
“Biofuels like ‘B20’ can help us reach this target. This is because, in addition to having low sulphur content, the fuel also emits less climate-damaging CO2 during combustion.”
Hapag-Lloyd intends to use the test run with Montreal Express, which operates in the St. Lawrence Coordinated Service 2 (AT 2) between Europe and Canada, to gain experience and information on the properties of the fuel in real-world use.
Jan Christensen, senior director of purchasing & supply at Hapag-Lloyd, said: “We are checking to see whether the share of biodiesel has any adverse effects on the equipment and the fuel processing on board the vessel.
“If the test is successful, more ships from Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet could operate using the ‘B20’ fuel in the future.”
