Maersk and US Navy to collaborate on biofuel tests

Shipping giant Maersk has announced plans to collaborate with the US Navy on the development of algae-based biofuel.

The new biofuel will be tested on the 300-m-long container ship Maersk Kalmar, which has a dedicated auxiliary test engine, en route from Bremerhaven in Germany to India.

During the month-long voyage, the Kalmar will use 30 tons of biofuel, testing fuel blends from 7-100%. Engineers will monitor NO_x, SO_x and particulate emissions, as well as CO₂, along with the effects of using the biofuel on power efficiency and engine wear and tear.

“The shipping industry needs to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas intensity in the coming decades. In the short term, we can gain a lot by focusing on improving fuel efficiency. In the longer term, we would like to see sustainable biofuels become a commercially available, low-carbon fuel,” says Jacob Sterling, head of Maersk Line’s climate and environment activities.

Maersk says it hopes the tests will enable it to identify an optimal blend of distillate and biofuel that will meet the International Maritime Organization’s forthcoming emissions regulations.

For further information:
www.maerskline.com/

14 December 2011

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