Takuya Koizumi, GM Decarbonisation Group, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), speaking at the Asia and the Pacific Transport Forum in Manila, Philippines, emphasised the role of biofuel and a gradual transition in the company’s maritime decarbonisation strategy.
Koizumi stressed that biofuels could play an important role in decarbonising the industry, which is under pressure to gradually reduce GHG emissions. Biofuels are made from organic resources (biomass) of biological origin, such as agricultural residues and waste cooking oil, and are considered to have virtually zero CO2 emissions when combusted. Since they can be used in heavy-oil-powered ship engines, which are common on large merchant ships, biofuels are considered a key means of reducing GHG emissions in the transition period from heavy oil to zero-emission fuels.
On the other hand, the various risks associated with the long-term use of such biofuels have not been fully evaluated. Therefore, NYK has launched a joint six month project trialing the continuous use of biofuels onboard a vessel. This project is in collaboration with the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), a Singapore-based non-profit organisation supporting the decarbonisation of the maritime industry. The findings will be open to the public as guidelines for continuous and extended biofuel use so that this project can contribute to decarbonisation by facilitating an energy transition in international shipping.
In addition, NYK has been involved in the training and education of seafarers for many years, including the joint operation of the NYK-TDG Maritime Academy since 2007, a merchant marine academy in the suburbs of Manila. Many graduates are currently working in positions that play a significant role in safe ship operations, and NYK says it is committed to achieving a fair fuel transition that includes biofuels.
Image: NYK’s Takuya Koizumi speaking at the Asia Pacific Transport Forum (source: NYK)
