In the Netherlands, Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis) a leading global maritime services provider and biofuels supplier GoodFuels Maríne, are set to take the next key step in the ‘Boskalis on Bio’ programme for the testing of sustainable biofuel oil (BFO). Following earlier successful tests with ‘drop-in’ blends of light biofuel and marine gas oil, Boskalis’ Willem van Oranje will be the first dredging vessel in the world to operate on 100 percent BFO.
According to a statement, the sulphur-free sustainable residual fuel consists wholly of used cooking oil (UCO) and contains no fossil fuels. This allows a substantial carbon reduction of 90 percent thereby contributing to a reduction of Boskalis’ carbon footprint.
This world-first for Boskalis is the result of the ‘Boskalis on Bio’ pilot programme launched in 2015 in cooperation with engine manufacturer Wärtsilä and GoodFuels. With this programme, Boskalis aims to realize a substantial reduction in carbon emissions from both its vessels and its dry earthmoving equipment and trucks. The company operates a fleet of over 800 vessels and floating equipment.
Since the launch of the programme, Boskalis has successfully used various biofuel blends on both dredging and offshore installation vessels and on dry earthmoving equipment as an alternative to fossil fuels. For example on the projects to create the Marker Wadden nature area and to install the export cable to the Borssele offshore wind farm, both in the Netherlands.
