Ocean Network Express, a Shipping Australia member, has revealed a flurry of activity as it seeks to advance its ambitions in green shipping.
The Singapore-based, global ocean container shipping company, has announced the successful completion of a second trial of sustainable marine biofuel onboard the M/V MOL Experience. The specifications of the second trial were different from the first trial, with the mixing ratio three times higher in biofuel content.
MOL Experience was refuelled with marine biofuel during bunkering at the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands on 7th March 2021. The vessel, deployed in the AL5 service, fully consumed the biofuel 24 days into the 36-day trial period, which ended on 12th April 2021.
As with the first trial, the bunkering and testing period was performed in collaboration with shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and the leading sustainable biofuel pioneer GoodFuels.
“The success of the trial once again proves the viability of sustainable biofuels, while helping ONE to meet its carbon reduction targets by 2030 and 2050 respectively,” the company said.
The biofuel was derived from renewable sources. The biofuel used in the trial is produced from certified feedstocks labelled as 100% waste or residue products, such as used cooking oil.
“Biofuels are considered to be carbon-neutral because the carbon dioxide absorbed by the source of the biomass is equal to the carbon dioxide released when the fuel is burned. It has gained attention around the world as an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil fuels,” the company said.
It added that the GoodFuels biofuels are virtually free of sulphur oxides and deliver 80% to 90% well-to-exhaust carbon dioxide reduction versus fossil fuel equivalents. They are technically and operationally equivalent to petroleum-derived marine fuels and require no modifications to marine engines or fuel infrastructure.
Industry collaboration to advance maritime decarbonisation
ONE has also announced it is helping to set-up an SGD$120 million fund for maritime decarbonisation in Singapore. The company has joined forces with BW Group, Sembcorp Marine, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Foundation Det Norske
Veritas and BHP in signing a memorandum of cooperation with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore for this purpose.
Under the terms of the Memorandum, each private sector partner will contribute SG$10 million to support the establishment of the centre, to fund maritime decarbonization research and technology development projects and to also collaborate with institutes of higher learning.
Ms. Quah Ley Hoon, the Chief Executive of the MPA, said: “Maritime decarbonisation is a global challenge requiring a collective responsibility from all stakeholders involved. It is crucial to have strong public-private sector partnerships. We thank likeminded partners like ONE that have responded strongly to our call for collaboration. The agreement signed today is a first step, which we hope will catalyse a larger, much needed momentum to make international shipping more sustainable.”
ONE green strategy
ONE has also announced the launch of a new Green Strategy Department. The new department will drive ONE’s environmental sustainability endeavours through the collaboration with internal and external synergies.
“This new department will be designing and implementing strategies so that ONE continues to meet the relevant industrial and international standards at the same time as ensuring that ONE is at the forefront of green thinking in the shipping and logistics industry”, the company said in a statement.
