The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) recently conducted groundbreaking trials to validate the use of tracer technologies in marine biofuel supply chains, marking a significant step towards enhancing transparency and authenticity in the industry. These trials, carried out in major bunkering hubs like Singapore and Rotterdam, showcased the seamless integration of tracers into existing practices without compromising fuel quality or operational efficiency. Among the three tracer candidates evaluated, an organic tracer emerged as the most viable option, offering a cost-effective, detectable, and scalable solution for tracking biofuel authenticity and quantity.
GCMD’s initiative aims to establish a robust assurance framework for green fuels, addressing key barriers to biofuel adoption by providing assurances on quality, quantity, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The trials, which involved bunkering 10,400 MT of biofuel blends across six instances, resulted in a collective 24% reduction in GHG emissions compared to conventional fuels. Liquid biofuels, particularly fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO), are positioned as near-term solutions for decarbonizing maritime operations due to their availability, compatibility with existing infrastructure, and blendability with conventional fuels.
Certification schemes like the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) play a crucial role in verifying emissions reductions and ensuring compliance with regulations such as EU RED II. However, the lack of field-level verification in existing schemes leaves room for vulnerabilities in biofuel supply chains, as highlighted by recent fraud cases. The deployment of tracers offers a tangible solution to enhance the physical verification of sustainability claims and prevent potential adulteration, ultimately bolstering the credibility of biofuels in the market.
During the trials, three tracer candidates were tested across various supply chain stages, from upstream points to onboard storage on receiving vessels. While each tracer exhibited unique characteristics, the organic tracer (Tracer C) stood out for its consistent detectability and cost competitiveness. With detection levels matching expected concentrations closely and offering compatibility with standard analytical techniques like Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Tracer C emerged as a promising option for reliable identification and quantification in marine fuel supply chains.
GCMD’s comprehensive benchmarking framework, developed based on trial data, provides stakeholders with a structured approach to compare tracer types in terms of cost, detectability, and operational feasibility. By offering insights into optimal deployment scenarios and risk mitigation strategies, the framework serves as a valuable guide for industry players looking to adopt tracer technologies effectively. However, widespread deployment of tracers necessitates strong institutional support, including legislative frameworks, standardized protocols, and data systems for real-time verification and auditability.
Key Takeaways:
– Tracer technologies offer a promising solution for enhancing traceability and authenticity in marine biofuel supply chains.
– Organic tracers show potential as cost-effective and detectable options for tracking biofuel authenticity and quantity.
– Certification schemes alone may not provide sufficient physical verification of biofuel sustainability claims, highlighting the need for additional measures like tracer deployment.
– GCMD’s trials and benchmarking framework provide valuable insights for stakeholders seeking to adopt tracer technologies effectively in maritime operations.
Tags: biofuels, upstream, regulatory, downstream
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