There are still uncertainties in the bunker market and limited availability of quality biofuels, especially outside of Europe. And it’s not just a competition within shipping; we’re up against all transportation industries—road and air.
Our Bunkers team made a prompt decision to provide Bow Sun in Rotterdam with bio-bunkering and had to move quickly to ensure that she got the required amount on board in time for departure.
“Excellent teamwork on very short notice created an important milestone for us,” said Bunkers Manager Odd Jarle Pollen. “This is a new situation to solve for the entire bunker value chain. For this first bunkering, we cooperated with one of our long-time suppliers in Rotterdam to get 350 tons. The quality is well documented with references such as Hapag-Loyd. We look forward to getting reports from the crew when they start using it on the way back to Europe.”
The expected biofuel quantum for Odfjell next year is 8–9000 tons. The biofuel is a B30-famous blend based on renewable sources. It will not take resources from food production, but as Odd Jarle smilingly points out:
“One thing is certain: The engine room will smell more like McDonald’s from now on, so the crew may experience some solid burger cravings.”
The strict and very detailed reporting requirements put Odfjell’s data to the test.
“FEM is complex and changes how we report,” says Kristoffer Ramstad, Manager Fleet Performance and Digitalization. “Up to now, we’ve been focusing on fuel consumption and fuel efficiency to limit emissions. With FEM, we need a system to continuously monitor fuel inventory and create an unbreakable link between inventory and consumption—the so-called BDN approach. We need to have a well-to-wake perspective for all fuels, and proof of sustainability for biofuels.”
To address the new requirements and ensure compliance, ORCA—Odfjell’s tailor-made operational software—has been updated. This version introduces new fuel types, along with a feature for accurate monitoring of fuel inventory, from received to spent. The solution is approved by DNV as a data collection system for EU and IMO frameworks.
The new release includes:
FEM compliance is a joint effort, organized as a task force with representatives from Bunkers, Technology and Tankers, led by Senior Fleet Performance Analyst Vegard Marken. This approach is aligned with a strategy to optimize bunkering and to ensure that compliance is met with minimum impact.
“For the controlled fleet, the data is automatically shared via an API to DNV. Combined with analytical solutions in Power BI, we are well prepared to estimate compliance balance and costs per vessel and voyage,” Kristoffer says.
"Understanding fuel types is key, but it’s not always easy. Different fuels have unique energy properties, and managing them well helps us calculate emissions accurately. This is also crucial for determining how much biofuel is needed. Having precise knowledge of each factor ensures reliable emissions calculations and helps meet environmental compliance standards. In principle, we can now measure the biofuel use down to the liter.”
