Biofuel Bunkering Developments
As FuelEU impacts the shipping industry and owners start to turn to biofuel to increase compliance, the bunkering sector is responding
UK-based bunker operator John H Whitaker (Tankers) says its vessel Whitchampion has become the first bunker tanker certified to load, carry and blend FAME B100 onboard.
Whitaker has secured chemical certification from Lloyd’s Register (LR) on behalf of the Isle of Man Flag Administration for the vessel to load, carry and blend Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME B100) onboard under IBC Code and MARPOL Annex II regulations.
The certification allows the Whitchampion to perform onboard blending of biofuels with petroleum distillates and residual fuel oils. The operation is authorised within UK coastal waters under a Tri-Partite Agreement between the Isle of Man Flag and the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UKMCA).
A second Whitaker tanker, the Whitchallenger, is undergoing a similar approval process and is expected to be certified later this year.
At present, bunker tankers certified under MARPOL Annex I are limited to carrying blends no more than 30% FAME under IMO regulations. Oil Fuels with higher bio-content fall under International Bulk Chemical Code (IBC Code) and MARPOL Annex II, typically requiring full chemical tanker status. Whitaker notes that the IMO regulation has, in effect, frozen out a significant portion of the conventional bunker tanker fleet from supporting mid-to-high-range biofuel blending.
The company says the Whitchampion is the first LR-classed vessel to bridge that gap. Through comprehensive Gap Analysis and Risk Assessment against the IBC Code and MARPOL Annex II requirements, LR developed an approach which involved mitigation of the assessed risks. This led to obtaining waivers/exemptions from the flag administration allowing this Annex I bunker tanker to gain chemical certification to carry FAME as cargo, without needing to convert to full chemical tanker status.
The successful delivery of dedicated onboard training on the safe handling of FAME has also led to UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency approval and a FAME Restricted endorsement to the existing Oil Tanker Dangerous Cargo Endorsement (DCE) for the crew.
Tim Wilson, Principal Specialist Fuels and Emissions, LR, said: “This certification demonstrates a credible and commercially viable route for existing bunker tankers to participate in the energy transition. It sets a clear blueprint for others to follow, enabling owners to consider the possibility of adapting existing bunker tankers for sustainable fuel delivery without resorting to prohibitively expensive conversions or replacement with a chemical tanker.”
Jawwad Minhas, Lead Specialist, Chemical Certification, Environmental Team, LR, said: “Our method of conducting Gap Analysis and Risk Assessment, followed by implementing mitigation strategies including the use of waivers and exemptions while ensuring safety and environmental compliance, is an effective and practical approach to obtaining certification for bunker vessels. This approach provides confidence and flexibility to all parties involved as the maritime industry undergoes energy transition.”
Co-processed VLSFO at Fujairah
Vitol Bunkers is to offer customers FuelEU compliant co-processed bunkering fuel. The finished grade bunker fuel is being produced by Vitol’s 100kbd refinery in Fujairah. Vitol says that it will be marketed in multiple locations “in due course”.
The co-processed fuel, which conforms to RMG380 VLSFO grade, is the same chemical composition and quality as conventional fuel, eliminating the need for additional permissions or special clauses in charter party agreements.
The co-processing is certified under the ISCC-EU scheme. This certification requires stringent criteria to be met including an annual audit of the refinery and regular checks on product specification. The carbon intensity of the sustainable element of the fuel is in line with used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME) and delivers a 70+% reduction in greenhouse gas intensity (GHGi) against the fossil-based alternative. Monitoring of lower GHG intensity fuels for compliance with FuelEU Maritime regulations is achieved in conjunction with DNV’s Emissions Connect product where co-processed and other sustainable fuels consumption is monitored for ultimate verification in 2026.
22/08/2025
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