Olam Agri and Vitol Bunkers complete world’s first co-processed VLSFO bio-bunkering operation in Singapore

In a groundbreaking development for sustainable shipping, Olam Agri and Vitol Bunkers successfully executed Singapore's inaugural bio-bunkering operation utilizing Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) co-processed with Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL). This pioneering venture, conducted at the Port of Singapore, demonstrated that VLSFO can be co-processed with CNSL to achieve verified greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions without compromising vessel performance or operational procedures.

The maritime journey from Caofeidian (China) to Rotterdam (Netherlands) and subsequently to Barcarena (Brazil) consumed 1,354 MT of VLSFO, encompassing 212 MT of conventional VLSFO and 34.5 MT of co-processed CNSL VLSFO. With a GHG intensity of 2.02 gCO2eq/MJ, the co-processed VLSFO achieved at least 120 MT CO2eq reductions compared to conventional VLSFO on an equivalent basis, all while maintaining zero added operational requirements or fuel treatment necessities.

This accomplishment marks a significant stride in the quest for practical, scalable alternatives to traditional marine fuels, providing a definitive proof of concept that underutilized bio-products can be both operationally viable and sustainable. Olam Agri's Head of Bunkers, Martin Fynbo, expressed gratitude towards the vessel owner, technical managers, and Vitol for their cooperation, while Vitol Bunkers' Trading Manager, Sherman Yeo, highlighted the mass balance solution's potential to revolutionize GHG reduction in marine fuels.