K Line completes its first trial use of marine B100 biofuel on car carrier

Japanese shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has completed its first trial use of marine B100 biofuel on the car carrier Apollon Highway.

The biofuel was supplied by energy management company World Fuel Services and delivered to the car carrier at the Belgian port of Zeebrugge on March 31.

After leaving Europe Emission Control Area, the vessel started using the B100 biofuel. The trial was completed on April 30th, K Line said.

The company added that the trial was conducted using marine B100 biofuel composed of 100% biodiesel.

Marine biofuel is said to have the potential to become an environmentally friendly alternative fuel as it will be able to reduce CO2 by about 80-90% in the well-to-wake (from fuel generation to consumption) process without changing current engine specifications.

Trialing biofuels is part of K Line’s action plan to continue working on the introduction of new fuels that have a low environmental impact and take on the challenge of achieving the targets set in the company’s Environmental Vision 2050 -Blue Seas for the Future.

Since 2021, the Japanese company completed several biofuel trials onboard its ships, including the use of B24 marine biofuel comprising 24% fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) blended with very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO). The fuel was supplied by integrated energy company bp to the Capesize bulker Cape Tsubaki with the cooperation of the charterer, JFE Steel Corporation.

Back in August 2023, K Line’s oceangoing bulk carrier M/V Cape Amal received 700 tons of UCOME-based B24 marine biofuel arranged by maritime fuel supplier Peninsula.