Astomos, INPEX Agree To Supply Middle East’s First Ever Marine Biofuel For VLGC

Astomos Energy Corporation (Astomos) and INPEX CORPORATION (INPEX) announced today they reached an agreement to supply B24 biofuel bunker to a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) chartered by Astomos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Over the next several months, INPEX will supply B24 biofuel to the VLGC through a bunker vessel operated by Monjasa1 at Khor Fakkan port in the UAE emirate of Sharjah.

This will be the first instance in which biofuel is supplied to a VLGC in the Middle East.

B24 biofuel consists of 24 percent fatty acid methyl ester (FAME2) and 76 percent very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO), a conventional bunker fuel. Dubai-based Neutral Fuels3 will produce the FAME from waste cooking oil collected from restaurants and hotels in the UAE. Monjasa will supply the VLSFO and blend it with the FAME. The use of B24 biofuel is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 15~20 percent compared to conventional bunker
fuel. The FAME is certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification system, which guarantees the sustainability of its sources.

Biofuel can be utilized to power vessels without modifications. Biofuel is also gaining attention as a viable option towards the decarbonization of bunker fuel due to its raw materials consisting of plant-based waste cooking oil.

Astomos realized the world’s first CN LPG procurement and launched Japan’s first LPGfueled vessel toward the realization of the Japanese government’s “Carbon Neutral
Society by 2050” policy.

Furthermore, Astomos has established the “Green Business Development Office” for the purpose of strategic planning and promotion from a long-term and comprehensive perspective regarding efforts to build a low-carbon society. As an energy supplier, Astomos will continue to work with its customers to actively promote reduction of environmental impact and efforts toward the realization of a sustainable society and achievement of SDGs.

INPEX seeks to proactively engage in energy structure reforms towards the realization of a net zero carbon society by 2050 while responding to the energy demands of Japan and other countries around the world, as outlined in its Long-term Strategy and Mediumterm Business Plan (INPEX Vision @2022) announced in February 2022.

The agreement announced today is aligned to these objectives and is intended to help achieve energy supply diversification and make energy cleaner. INPEX, in collaboration with partners around the world, plans to expand its biofuel business, develop a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering business in the UAE and Indonesia and develop alternative fuels including ammonia and methanol.

In addition, the INPEX Group has conducted the exploration and production of crude oil and associated business activities in the UAE for 50 years since 1973. The group will strive to help maintain and strengthen the cordial relations between the UAE and Japan by proactively engaging in the development and production of both crude oil and clean energy such as hydrogen and ammonia, as well as social contribution activities, in the
UAE.

1Monjasa is a global partner in the oil and shipping industries and among the world’s 10 largest marine fuel suppliers with a fleet of 30 vessels and total volume of around 6 million tons yearly. As part of its Responsibility framework, Monjasa is engaged with Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping as Mission Ambassador.

2FAME is an abbreviation of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester. The ingredient determines designations. (e.g., UCOME (Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester), PME (Palm Methyl Ester), RME (Rapeseed Methyl Ester), SME (Soybean Methyl Ester), TME (Tallow Methyl Ester)). The B24 biofuel INPEX will supply consists of 24% FAME and 76% VLSFO.

3Neutral Fuels was founded in 2011 in the Emirate of Dubai and produces biodiesel from waste cooking oil collected from restaurants and hotels in the UAE. In response to the global decarbonization requirements, Neutral Fuels aims to expand biodiesel production in the Middle East and other regions.

References: Astomos