Mining giant BHP and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) have launched a pilot project exploring the use of pure biofuel aboard a bulk carrier, according to Ship & Bunker. The trial centres on a B100 blend derived from two distinct waste-based feedstocks, bunkered in Singapore in early May.
A Two-Feedstock Approach
The B100 fuel used in the trial is an equal-parts blend of tallow-derived biodiesel, supplied by HAMR Energy, and used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME), supplied by Mitsui & Co Energy Trading Singapore. Mitsui handled the blending, while Dan-Bunkering coordinated the physical bunkering operation in Singapore.
The vessel at the centre of the pilot is the Berge Lyngor, a bulk carrier owned and operated by Berge Bulk and chartered by BHP for iron ore transportation between Western Australia and China.
What the Trial Aims to Evaluate
According to a joint statement from BHP and GCMD, the pilot has several key objectives:
- Assessing how multi-feedstock biofuels can be blended, handled, and delivered through existing bunkering infrastructure
- Evaluating fuel quality, traceability, and vessel performance
- Examining potential operational challenges such as corrosion, fuel system clogging, and filter blockage
- Using chemical fingerprinting to verify the origin and integrity of the biofuel blend
The project partners report that the biofuel holds the potential to reduce well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 79% per voyage when compared to VLSFO.
Does This Matter to You?
This trial touches on several areas of active interest across the maritime sector. The use of B100 — rather than a lower-percentage biofuel blend — represents a more demanding operational test, and the multi-feedstock composition adds another layer of complexity. The involvement of a Singapore bunkering operation, a major commodity trader, and a coordinating bunker supplier illustrates how biofuel supply chains are beginning to take shape in practice, not just in theory.
The focus on traceability through chemical fingerprinting is also noteworthy. As regulatory scrutiny around fuel origin and emissions claims intensifies under frameworks like FuelEU Maritime and IMO’s evolving decarbonisation measures, verifying what is actually in a biofuel blend — and where it came from — is becoming a critical concern for those buying, selling, or accounting for marine fuels.
The operational monitoring component, including checks for filter blockage and corrosion, will also generate real-world performance data relevant to anyone considering biofuel uptake on comparable vessel types.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
