Japanese shipowner Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) will conduct in 2024 full-scale trials of long-term use of biofuels, which are considered to have net-zero CO2 emissions, on its existing heavy fuel-oil consuming vessels.
NYK have previously done short-term trials using biofuels and will now fully verify the safety and stable procurement of biofuels when used over a long period.
Through this trial, NYK states it will establish a safe navigation system using biofuels and promote biofuel development to achieve the Group’s goal of a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by fiscal 2030 compared to fiscal 2021.
In this announced trial, NYK will use biofuel produced from biological sources (biomass), such as waste cooking oil, continuously for three months on multiple vessel types after which NYK will gradually extend biofuel use for a longer period for further validation.
Since 2019 the NYK Group has conducted short-term biofuel trials on about 10 vessels, but while NYK has confirmed the safety of short-term biofuel use, it has not yet verified the impact of biofuels on the ship’s main engine, generator, motor, fuel supply system, etc., and the quality of biofuels after a certain storage period.
NYK also needed to ensure the stability of biofuel procurement when used in more vessels.
