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3,850 tons! China National Petroleum Corporation Fuel has completed the largest single-vessel biofuel bunkering operation in China!

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Maritime Industry Focus

On June 5, at the Shekou Container Terminal in Shenzhen, China Shipbuilding Fuel Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “China Shipfuel”) successfully bunkered 3,850 tons of biofuel oil (B24) onto the vessel “New Asia,” operated by COSCO Shipping Lines Co., Ltd. The entire bunkering operation took more than 14 hours, smoothly completing the largest single-vessel marine biofuel bunkering project in China and marking a new milestone in the large-scale supply of marine biofuel within the country.

As a renewable alternative to petroleum‑based diesel, the use of low‑carbon, environmentally friendly biodiesel is of great significance for China in achieving its carbon‑reduction targets, controlling air pollution, diversifying its energy mix, ensuring energy security, and increasing the share of renewable energy in the transportation fuel sector. The B24 marine biofuel recently bunkered consists of a physical blend of 24% biodiesel and 76% low‑sulfur fuel oil, which can reduce carbon emissions by approximately 20.4%. Typically, the selection of new fuels requires a comprehensive assessment of conversion costs and technological maturity; however, biofuel oil can be used directly in ship main engines and boilers without modifying existing propulsion systems, which is why it is also referred to as “ready‑to‑use green fuel.” For vessels that are either required or permitted to operate on conventional fuels, adopting biofuel oil represents a highly attractive option.

China Ship Fuel has actively responded to COSCO Shipping Group’s call for “green shipping” and a “green transition” in energy supply, making every effort to ensure the smooth delivery of this batch of marine biofuel. In line with the Group’s “Three Guarantees” — quality, quantity, and timely supply — the company has leveraged the locational advantages of its own storage facilities in the Greater Bay Area to maintain seamless and orderly operations across all stages of fuel supply. The subsidiary companies under China Ship Fuel have collaborated closely to fully support the fulfillment of the supply mandate: Zhuhai China Ship Fuel Petroleum Co., Ltd. took the lead in arranging for the tanks at the Guishan Oil Depot to obtain Singapore-based CONTROL UNION certification for biofuels, completing the requisite customs filing for the relevant tanks and fuels ahead of schedule and coordinating pre‑declaration procedures with port authorities. Meanwhile, China Ship Fuel Shipping Company, taking into account factors such as the volume of fuel to be supplied, vessel turnaround time in port, and weather conditions, formulated a meticulously detailed supply plan and, prior to delivery, conducted specialized onboard training for the barge crew, guiding them through each step of the operation—including mooring, pump start-up, fuel transfer, metering, and documentation—so as to ensure a safe and efficient execution on site.

Since 2018, authoritative organizations such as the International Maritime Organization have progressively established a range of regulatory frameworks to set emissions‑reduction targets and standardize carbon‑reduction measures for both newbuildings and existing vessels. As a result, the global shipping industry is facing mounting pressure and increasingly complex challenges in achieving low‑carbon emissions. To comply with these requirements, shipowners worldwide have been actively conducting trial bunkering operations using marine biofuels. Among the world’s major hub ports, Singapore and Rotterdam have already scaled up biofuel bunkering services. The successful bunkering of China’s largest-ever marine biofuel shipment further underscores its pivotal role in driving green energy development within the domestic shipping sector and enhancing the maritime service capabilities of Chinese ports.

This cross‑customs‑area direct supply of biofuel oil was successfully bunkered under the supervision and guidance of joint inspection authorities—including maritime, customs, and border control agencies—in Zhuhai and Shenzhen, as well as port‑side entities such as the terminal operator. China Ship Fuel Zhuhai Co., Ltd. and China Ship Fuel Shipping Co., Ltd. rigorously complied with all port regulations, standardized bunkering procedures, and completed the marine biofuel bunkering operation on time and to the required quality and quantity.

In recent years, under the leadership of COSCO Shipping Group, China Ship Fuel has actively implemented the strategic directives of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China to advance carbon peaking and carbon neutrality in a proactive yet prudent manner. The company has issued China’s first “Marine Methanol Fuel Bunkering Procedures” and “IBC Reuse Safety Standards,” successfully secured approval for a pilot program on the promotion and application of biodiesel under the National Energy Administration, and more, thereby maintaining a leading position in the domestic industry for green energy supply.

The successful bunkering of marine biofuel this time marks a new breakthrough for China Shipping Fuel in the field of “green shipping” energy supply, demonstrating the commitment of a central state‑owned enterprise to energy conservation and emissions reduction, strengthening its core market competitiveness, and boosting the development of new‑type productive forces. Since the shipping industry has stepped up its efforts to conserve energy and reduce emissions, the application of biofuels remains in its early stages; this single‑vessel, record‑breaking supply lays a solid foundation for the future regular provision of biofuel at domestic ports in the region. China Shipping Fuel will continue to support COSCO Shipping Group’s green transformation, providing enduring momentum for the shipping sector and working together to advance the industry’s green, low‑carbon, and sustainable development.

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Source: Shipping Circle Focus

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