A Spar Shipping bulk carrier, the Spar Lynx, successfully completed a 10-day trial voyage, powered by GoodFuels’ sustainable marine biofuel. Spar Shipping, Fleet Management Limited and GoodFuels, announced on July 28th that the trial confirmed the technical viability of the biofuel, which enabled a reduction of at least 75% in carbon and sulphur emissions.

The biofuel was derived from a variety of raw materials or feedstocks, certified as 100% waste, including processed used cooking oil and animal fats. The Spar Lynx was refuelled with GoodFuels’ biofuel in Dordrecht, before sailing to the Turkish port of Icdas.

The biofuel saw a reduction of 75% in well-to-exhaust carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and an 85% cut in sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions, compared to traditional fuels. Also, nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide (NOx) emissions did not increase at a higher speed. The trial confirmed the safety and technical viability of biofuels for the future fuel mix, which was shown to require no changes to existing tanks and engines.

Jarle Ellefsen, Managing Director at Spar Shipping AS said: “Sustainability is also about affordability, and part of the picture is to enable the biofuels industry to scale up and secure both availabilities as well as low-cost sustainable biofuel alternatives for the maritime industry. The sustainable biofuels industry needs takers to be able to scale up, and the maritime industry is looking for availability and low cost.”