Energy company Mabanaft has reached an agreement with the shipping company Hapag-Lloyd for the supply of B30 biofuel. A first test delivery of 1,000 tonnes (mt) of B30 VLSFO from Mabanaft’s Waltershof tank terminal was scheduled for 12 December in the port of Hamburg for the container ship Delaware Express.
The delivery follows an extensive analysis by Mabanaft of potential bio-components that could be blended into B30 biofuel. Each option was thoroughly assessed for quality and its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under the agreement with Hapag-Lloyd, the initial delivery of 1,000 tonnes could pave the way for additional volumes in 2025.
“The demands on the shipping industry to use cleaner fuels will continue to increase in the coming years,” stated Helmut Oldekamp, Head of Marine Fuels & Industry at Mabanaft. “We are prepared for this and will support our customers in the best possible way with solutions for the energy transition.”
B30 biofuel offers a practical solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the short term, as it can be used without requiring engine modifications.
Jan Christensen, senior director global fuel purchasing at Hapag-Lloyd, expressed the importance of the collaboration: “We are very pleased that Mabanaft is providing biofuels in the Port of Hamburg. The cooperation between suppliers and buyers and the establishment of real trials will help to further improve the availability of biofuels. Our goal is to achieve net-zero fleet operations by 2045 – and biofuels will play an important role in this.”
Historically, the Port of Hamburg has played a minor role in the supply of bunker fuels like B30, with Rotterdam and Singapore acting as the primary hubs for handling such products. Mabanaft aims to change this dynamic.
“We want to change that,” said Michael Wiring, senior trader marine fuels at Mabanaft. “The agreement with Hapag-Lloyd is a great opportunity to make more B30 biofuel available in Hamburg in the future.”
The initiative reflects Mabanaft’s broader commitment to offering customers a versatile product range, including both conventional and low-carbon fuel solutions, supporting the industry’s transition to cleaner energy.
For more information visit www.mabanaft.com
