Ocean Network Express (ONE) announced the successful trial use of biofuel to power the M/V MOL Experience, which was completed on February 7th 2021.
The trial was completed on 7th February 2021, following bunkering at the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands in November 2020and was performed in collaboration with shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and leading sustainable biofuel pioneer GoodFuels.
According to the company, during the first trial, the sustainable biofuel was blended with conventional fossil fuels enabling the M/V MOL Experience to make its Atlantic crossings between Europe and the USA. The success of the trial proves the viability of sustainable biofuels which will help ONE to meet its carbon reduction targets in 2030 and 2050 respectively.
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The successful trial represents a positive step forward for ONE’s sustainability initiatives, which includes four areas of priority: Environment; Social; Governance; and Operational Excellence. The use of biofuels will help address our environmental sustainability targets, which aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (in gram/teu-km) by 25% from our 2018 baseline by 2030, and by 50% by 2050.
Michihiko Nakano, General Manager of Bunker Business Division, MOL, commented that
MOL Group is committed to protecting the health of our marine / global environmental as its social mission. MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.0 declares that we shall achieve sustainable net zero GHG emissions by the entire MOL Group.
To better explain, the biofuel is a fuel derived from renewable sources. It is stated that the advanced biofuel used in the trial is made from waste oils such as used cooking oil. Biofuels are considered to be carbon-neutral because the carbon dioxide that is 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.
Commenting on the successful trial, Takeshi Mishima, General Manager of Fleet Management, ONE, said that
The cooperation and coordination between GoodFuels and ONE was excellent and the successful completion of the trial has confirmed that for ONE, biofuel is one of the solutions to reduce Green House Gases. We at ONE, shall continue to invest in a cleaner, greener future.
Mr. Nakano concluded that they are pursuing possibilities of various alternative marine fuel options, adding that the success of this trial led to the verification of the availability of various leading alternative marine fuels and it is in line with the MOL Group’s stance of continuously monitoring technological development trends. As a major shareholder of ONE, we welcome this success.
