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KPI OceanConnect targets more ports for marine biofuel sales

Marine fuel trading house KPI OceanConnect is wanting to use biofuel for bunkering at more ports, in view of higher demand as FuelEU policies kick in next year, a senior executive stated on the sidelines of SIBCON 2024 today.

The business is broadening its marine biofuel trade to 120 ports, up from about 70 ports previously, said Jesper Sorensen, global head of alternative fuels and carbon markets.

The company has provided more than 300 biofuel stems to over 80 customers to date, according to Sorensen.

The most industrialized area is Europe where biofuels are readily available. In lots of locations, Asia is catching up, he stated, adding that the FuelEU regulation is a game-changer for demand.

FuelEU requirements start from Jan. 1, 2025, requiring the greenhouse gas intensity in shipping fuels to be cut by 2% next year and an 80% reduction by 2050.

While there are many methods of abiding by FuelEU maritime, it is the very first guideline in place that puts a demand on what is burned, Sorensen stated.

Biofuels with International Sustainability & & Carbon Certification (ISCC) can provide greenhouse gas emission reductions of approximately 20% compared to conventional fuel oil.

Despite the potential for minimizing emissions, development of demand is steady because of the price premium commanded by marine biofuels.

It is also cheaper to buy emissions allowances over the European emission trading system (ETS) that launched this year than it is to purchase biofuels, Sorensen stated.

The EU ETS does not motivate the uptake of alternative fuels, he stated.

If you take a look at the rate space in between taking a biofuel, say a full biofuel (B100) for instance, which will excuse you from the ETS ... that is a lot more expensive than purchasing the equivalent EUAs, he said.

EU Allowances, or EUAs, enable business operating in the ETS zone a particular quantity of co2 emissions.

(source: Reuters)