South Korean refiner S-Oil has begun supplying B30-VLSFO marine fuel in South Korea, marking a new step in the country’s marine biofuel offerings, according to Ship & Bunker.
The fuel blend combines 30% sustainable biofuel with very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), the company confirmed in a press release cited by Ship & Bunker.
Integrated Supply Chain in Ulsan
According to Ship & Bunker, S-Oil has built an integrated supply chain covering the entire process in the Ulsan region, from procuring biofuel feedstock through to blending, storage, and final delivery. The company is combining VLSFO produced at its Onsan refinery with biofuel production and storage facilities also located in Ulsan, enabling all operations to take place within a single logistics zone.
The report notes that S-Oil views this consolidated setup as giving it a strategic advantage in serving customers efficiently from one location.
Car Carriers Identified as Key Market
S-Oil has identified Ulsan Port as a key market for marine biofuel, with car carriers highlighted as a particularly important customer segment, Ship & Bunker reports. As a drop-in fuel, marine biofuel can be used in existing vessels to help lower emissions without requiring modifications to engines, according to the report.
Ship & Bunker also notes that it previously reported on Ulsan Port’s ambitions to become a leading marine biofuel bunkering hub in Northeast Asia as the shipping industry works toward decarbonisation.
Does This Matter to You?
This development may be relevant to those tracking the availability and expansion of biofuel bunkering options in Northeast Asia. The launch of B30-VLSFO supply at Ulsan Port adds to the range of drop-in fuel options available to vessels calling at the port, particularly car carriers, without requiring engine modifications, based on the source material.
For those monitoring bunkering hub development in the region, S-Oil’s integrated supply chain approach, linking refining, blending, and storage within one logistics zone, may be a point of interest as Ulsan positions itself within the broader Northeast Asian biofuel bunkering landscape referenced in earlier Ship & Bunker coverage. The source material does not provide details on pricing, volumes, or broader market impact beyond what is stated.
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
