New programme aims to accelerate use of biofuels in shipping

A new sustainable biofuels initiative has been launched with the intention of handing freight companies “control of their carbon footprint”.

The GoodShipping programme from Dutch company GoodFuels is designed to ‘accelerate’ the amount of low-carbon fuels in the marine-fuel mix. Put simply, it allows the cargo owner to purchase low-carbon, compatible and sustainable ‘drop-in’ biofuels instead of having to rely on the ship owner to change its fuel mix.

Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO GoodFuels, said: “Up until now, the only way ocean cargo owners could eliminate or substantially reduce the climate impact from ship operations was to select an energy-efficient carrier or to offset their carbon footprint outside the shipping industry. The big difference with other sustainability initiatives is that the GoodShipping Program actually changes the marine fuel mix, and thereby realises a carbon reduction within the industry. Every ocean cargo owner can participate in the GoodShipping Program regardless of its volume, location, trade routes and existing contracts with carrier(s) or freight forwarders.”

“However, they cannot drive the transition on their own: ultimately it needs to be facilitated by the maritime industry. It acts upon the collective responsibility for developing stable demand that can bring production to the next level. As such, the GoodShipping Program aims to improve the accessibility and affordability of low-carbon fuels to all carriers.”

The first Good Trade Lane connecting Europe to the rest of the world will be launched in autumn 2017. The vessel will be powered-up in cooperation with GoodFuels Marine, a specialist in advanced marine biofuels. GoodFuels’ generates sustainable biofuels out of waste and residues, and is supported by several NGOs.