An important stage on the long voyage to marine transport decarbonisation was reached yesterday when Green Fuels Research (GFR), a pioneer in renewable fuels, successfully demonstrated use of unblended sustainable marine fuel (SMF) at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir near Port Talbot, South Wales. The fuel was used in a Beta Marine B14 engine aboard a motor launch operated by C-Fury Limited.
The 100% renewable fuel demonstration was the culmination of SALMO (Sustainable Aquaculture Leading to Marine Opportunities), a Maritime Research and Innovation UK (MarRI-UK) initiative supported by the UK Department for Transport. The project, a collaboration between GFR, the University of Cardiff and Lancaster University, addressed two challenges: decarbonisation of UK shipping and sustainable management of animal by-product (ABP) waste from UK aquaculture.
“We are thrilled to have proved today, in UK waters, that this truly sustainable hydrocarbon is comparable in properties to marine distillates and suitable as a drop-in fuel for marine engines, without modification to propulsion or fuel systems, and without additives or restrictions on blend percentages,” said GFR Chief Strategy Officer Dr Paul Hilditch.
Responding, Simon Mcloughlin, C-Fury Managing Director, commented “This has been an exciting day for us, and we hope that our accomplishment today will help to dissipate any concerns from shipowners about engine compatibility, fuel stability or safety.”
From a technical standpoint, the fuel is in compliance with sulphur ISO/PAS 23263 for petroleum products (Fuels class F), an important consideration for fuel suppliers and users in view of the implementation of the maximum 0.50 % sulphur limit since 2020. Additionally, the fact that it is derived from waste ensures that the end-product is highly sustainable and fully biogenic, and thus a truly zero-carbon fuel.
About Green Fuels
Green Fuels is a pioneer in renewable fuels. Founded in 2003, Green Fuels has supplied biofuel equipment to customers in more than 80 countries. Having identified aviation and marine as strategic fuel markets of the future, Green Fuels Research was established in 2014 to develop IP in these areas. The group has attracted £9m in direct and indirect research grant funding to date, with R&D facilities in Berkeley, Gloucestershire.
Green Fuels was awarded a Royal Warrant of Appointment to HRH the Prince of Wales in 2013 and has participated in many pioneering events in its field including the first 100% biofuel-powered jet flight and the first 100% biofuel-powered train.
Green Fuels is in the course of a strategic transformation to global sustainable fuel producer in the pivotal sectors of sustainable aviation and marine fuels and in high-growth emerging markets for sustainable road fuel. Over the next 5 years, the Green Fuels group intends to establish or participate in fuel production operations in key markets worldwide, building on the company’s deep experience in renewable fuel tech, especially in decentralised refining, and on its IP in sustainable aviation and marine fuels.
Green Fuels is headquartered in Gloucestershire, UK, with offices in London, Muscat, Mumbai and Rio de Janeiro.
