Verification of Technical Safety in Long-term Use and Storage of Biofuels through Demonstration Experiments

NYK jointly conducted a demonstration project, "Project LOTUS," with the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), a Singapore-based non-profit organization promoting decarbonization in the maritime industry. The project, which focused on the long-term use and storage of biofuel (B24),* has recently been completed. In the project, biofuel was continuously used for six months on a dedicated pure car and truck carrier (PCTC), and the effects on engine performance and fuel supply systems were thoroughly examined. The results showed no technical issues, and the fuel stored onboard maintained ISO-standard quality. These findings confirm the technical safety and sustainable usability of biofuel. The results of this verification has been published on GCMD's website as accessible technical information for industry operators considering the adoption of biofuel.

Achievements and Future Outlook of Project LOTUS

This demonstration project, "Project LOTUS," aimed to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the long-term effects of biofuel on onboard machinery-a topic that has seen limited exploration globally. As a result of the six-month trial which started in May 2024, it was confirmed that biofuel (B24) does not adversely affect engine performance or fuel supply systems during extended use and storage, demonstrating the feasibility of stable operation over time.
No signs of equipment wear or corrosion were observed, and lubricants and filters maintained normal performance. Additionally, the stored fuel quality remained within ISO 8217 standards, with no microbial contamination detected.
These findings demonstrate that biofuel can serve as a "drop-in fuel," compatible with existing ship infrastructure, enabling safe and immediate adoption. This provides a solid technical basis for expanding its use in the maritime industry. Furthermore, biofuel is a promising option for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is expected to play a key role in accelerating the decarbonization of the maritime sector.
Leveraging the technical insights gained from this trial, we will continue to collaborate with industry stakeholders to promote sustainable shipping practices and lead the decarbonization efforts across the global shipping industry.

The results are available on the GCMD website at the following URL:
https://www.gcformd.org/our-publications/?report-id=8572

Comments

Lynn Loo, GCMD Chief Executive Officer
Project LOTUS grounds the conversation around the extended use of biofuels in evidence. Our findings show that they can be deployed safely and reliably, providing a concrete pathway for shipping's decarbonisation.

Nobuhiro Kashima, NYK Line Senior Managing Executive Officer
The use of biofuels is one of the key options for advancing the sustainable development of the maritime industry. We hope that the outcomes of this project will offer new possibilities to those considering the adoption of biofuels and help accelerate their broader use in various fields. By sharing the value of decarbonisation and logistics across society, we aim to help shape the next generation of shipping together.

Overview of GCMD
The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) was established as a non-profit organisation on 1 August 2021 with a mission to support the decarbonisation of the maritime industry by shaping standards, deploying solutions, financing projects, and fostering collaboration across sectors.
Founded by six industry partners namely BHP, BW Group, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Foundation Det Norske Veritas, Ocean Network Express and Seatrium, GCMD also receives funding from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) for qualifying research and development programmes and projects. Since its founding, bp, Hanwha Ocean, Hapag-Lloyd, NYK Line and PSA International have joined as Strategic partners. To-date, over 130 centre- and project-level partners have joined GCMD, contributing funds, expertise and in-kind support to accelerate the deployment of scalable low-carbon technologies and lowering adoption barriers.
NYK Line is the only Japanese-headquartered company to have signed a strategic partnership agreement with GCMD, starting in 2023.
Since its establishment, GCMD has launched four key initiatives to close technical and operational gaps in: deploying ammonia as a marine fuel, developing an assurance framework for drop-in green fuels, unlocking the carbon value chain through onboard carbon capture and articulating the value chain of captured carbon dioxide as well as closing the data-financing gap to widen the adoption of energy efficiency technologies.
To-date, over 130 centre- and project-level partners have joined GCMD, contributing funds, expertise and in-kind support to accelerate the deployment of scalable low-carbon technologies and lowering adoption barriers.
Website: www.gcformd.org

*B24
A blend of biofuel B24, produced by processing used cooking oil and other feedstocks into FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters, commonly known as biodiesel) at 24%, and very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) at 76%.