Recently, two COSCO SHIPPING Lines vessels, COSCO ASIA and NEW LOS ANGELES made history by refueling with B24 marine biofuel oil. COSCO ASIA took on 2,400 tons at the Xiamen Ocean Gate Container Terminal, setting a new single-refueling record for biofuel oil at Fujian Port, while NEW LOS ANGELES refueled with 5,400 tons at the Hong Kong terminal, marking a milestone for biofuel oil refueling in Hong Kong.

Why is B24 Marine biofuel oil gaining popularity?

B24 marine biofuel oil is a blend of 24% sustainable biodiesel and 76% conventional low-sulfur fuel oil. The feedstock for this biofuel is both widely available and renewable, which leads to a significant reduction in carbon emissions from ships. It is projected that the use of B24 marine biofuel oil can decrease carbon emissions by approximately 20%, playing a crucial role in advancing the shipping industry’s shift towards greener, low-carbon operations.

Consistently aligning with the global movement towards green and low-carbon practices, COSCO SHIPPING has proactively driven the development of dual-fuel powered vessels with new energy sources. The company has continuously advocated for the use of biofuel oil in refueling and sea trials, actively investigating the extensive application of biofuels in maritime transportation to further the transformation towards more sustainable shipping practices.

In June 2024, COSCO SHIPPING Lines’ vessel COSCO ASIA achieved a milestone by bunkering 3,850 tons of biofuel oil (B24) at Shekou Port in Shenzhen. This operation stood as the largest single marine biofuel bunkering in China back then.

Subsequently, in August 2024, OOCL, a subsidiary of COSCO SHIPPING Holdings, collaborated with partners to initiate a low-carbon shipping initiative, substituting fossil fuels with the cleaner B24 biofuel blend to diminish carbon emissions across the supply chain.

Then, in September 2024, the XIN CHI WAN, another vessel under COSCO SHIPPING Holdings, successfully refueled with B24 marine biofuel oil. This event marked Fujian’s first bonded biofuel bunkering order for international vessels, signifying a significant breakthrough in the province’s marine green fuel bunkering industry.

Through bunkering biofuels and conducting sea trials, COSCO SHIPPING is expediting its transition towards a low-carbon, eco-friendly, and sustainable enterprise.