A dual-fuel tanker named Fure Valö has successfully carried out its first operation using a new fuel blend from Equinor which contains used cooking oil.
The vessel completed a journey between Mongstad, Norway, to Reykjavik, Iceland, on the newly developed fuel blend of 30% renewable biodiesel fuel and 70% marine gasoil.
The fuel blend is stated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 87.5% versus the equivalent fossil fuel. The fuel is also said to maintain the same performance levels as conventionally used marine gasoil, and no adverse effects or fuel consumption changes were recorded during the pilot test.
The initial results of the tests – which were carried out in close collaboration with Equinor – show that renewable liquid fuels (blended with refined products) have the capability to contribute to the decarbonization of the commercial shipping sector.
“Acting as test pilots for this new lower-emission fuel is an important and honorable mission for us,” said Lars Höglund, CEO, Furetank. “Even if we primarily run our dual-fuel vessels on LNG/LBG or gasoil today, they are designed to be flexible, future-proof and easily converted to run on any fuel that will prove to be the right choice for the future.
“All vessels in the Furetank Vinga series have dual-fuel capacity. They are equipped with strongly insulated stainless steel fuel tanks on deck, designed to contain pressurized, liquefied gas. These high-performance tanks could also store for example ammonia or hydrogen, often mentioned as the sustainable fuels of the future. Most likely, switching fuels only demands a slight conversion of the ship engines.”
Furetank will continue to test the fuel on board the Fure Valö to ensure it can offer the desired performance levels when subjected to the severe weather conditions of the North Atlantic.