Vitol deploys its new bunker barge for first delivery of B30 biofuel blend in Singapore

Vitol Bunkers, a wholly-owned bunker arm of energy and commodities company Vitol, has put into operation its newbuild specialized bunker barge, the Marine Future, to complete the first delivery of B30 biofuel blend in Singapore.

The operation, which took place on March 14, involved delivering a total of 1,100 MT of a very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) B30 to Grand Hero, a vehicle carrier chartered by Hyundai Glovis.

According to Vitol, this marks the first time that biofuel above concentration B25 has been delivered.

Marine Future, Vitol’s newly delivered specialized bunker barge, completed the delivery.

The 102.6-meter-long bunker barge can carry about 7,000 MT of biofuels and is capable of supplying biofuel blends including B24, B30, and up to B100.

The vessel was built in China and handed over to Vitol in February 2024 as part of the company’s plans to expand the supply of biofuels in Asia with the delivery of specialized bunker barges in Singapore. Several more bunker barges are expected to be delivered throughout 2024. Depending on demand, these vessels could also be upgraded to supply methanol.

“We are pleased to be part of Singapore’s journey to decarbonise its shipping sector,” said Mike Muller, Head of Vitol Asia. “Vitol Bunkers is delighted to be able to offer its customers a broad range of biofuels, up to 100% bunker fuel.”

Biofuels are seen as a key pathway for the hard-to-abate shipping sector to mitigate emissions. Biofuel sales in Singapore reached 520,000 tonnes in 2023 according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), representing a material increase on the prior year when volumes were 140,000 tonnes.