Tuesday 4 February 2020

Shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd launches biofuel trial to slash emissions

Shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd has announced it is to trial the role of biofuel in lowering its carbon dioxide emissions.

One of its ships, called the 'Montreal Express', is now being powered by 'B20' fuel, which is made up of 80% low-sulphur fuel oil and 20% biodiesel from old cooking oils and fats.

The firm expects this biodiesel will be able to generate up to 90% less carbon dioxide emissions than conventional fuels and hopes the test will provide useful experience and information on the properties of the fuel in real-world use.

The “Montreal Express” operates between Europe and Canada.

Jan Christensen, Senior Director of Purchasing and 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 future."