Biofuels could play an important role in decarbonizing the maritime industry, which is under pressure to gradually reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Takuya Koizumi, general manager of NYK’s Decarbonization Group said.
In particular, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) participated in the “Asia and the Pacific Transport Forum” hosted by the Asian Development Bank in Manila, Philippines, on May 17.
As explained, biofuels are made from organic resources (biomass) of biological origin, such as agricultural residues and waste cooking oil, and are considered to have virtually zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions when combusted.
Since they can be used in heavy-oil-powered ship engines, which are common on large merchant ships, biofuels are considered a key means of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transition period from heavy oil to zero-emission fuels.
On the other hand, the various risks associated with the long-term use of such biofuels have not been fully evaluated.
Therefore, we have launched a joint six month project trialing the continuous use of biofuels onboard a vessel.
..Takuya Koizumi said.
This project is in collaboration with the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), a Singapore-based non-profit organization supporting the decarbonisation of the maritime industry.
