Marine biofuels are moving beyond demonstration projects and into routine fuel procurement as shipowners increasingly use renewable fuel blends to reduce lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions from existing fleets, according to Jeroen de Vos, head of global operations and quality at Peninsula and vice-chair of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA).
In a blog published on 7 October, de Vos argued that the industry’s focus is increasingly shifting from whether biofuels can be used in shipping to how they can be deployed safely, consistently and at scale.
FAME-based marine fuels, including used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME), are now available at multiple bunkering hubs and are being adopted by shipowners seeking lower-emission fuel options for vessels already in operation.
FAME Blends Can Use Existing Fuel Infrastructure
According to de Vos, FAME-based blends can be introduced into the fuel systems and bunkering infrastructure already used by many vessels. However, compatibility and operational preparation remain important considerations.
Fuel selection needs to account for the vessel, its machinery and operating conditions, with relevant requirements from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), classification societies and flag states considered before bunkering.
This operational approach has been reinforced by the development of more detailed industry guidance for marine biofuels.
The guidance builds on CIMAC Guideline 04/2024, which addresses marine fuels containing FAME.
Industry Guidance Shifts Biofuel Discussion Towards Risk Management
De Vos identified industry confidence as a key factor that could influence wider marine biofuel adoption.
He argued that discussions about biofuel use can sometimes place greater emphasis on potential risks than on the operational experience and technical guidance that have emerged from actual deployment.
Research and technical work by CIMAC, IBIA and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonization (GCMD) has addressed areas including fuel quality, onboard handling, compatibility and supply-chain assurance.
The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping has also contributed to research on fuel transition, while OEM guidance covers areas such as fuel acceptance, treatment, lubrication, machinery monitoring and operating parameters.
The emerging guidance does not eliminate operational risks, but provides a framework for identifying and managing them before and during fuel use.
Peninsula Expands Biofuel Supply Through Certified Chain
Peninsula has developed its marine biofuel offering around an International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)-certified supply chain, supported by dedicated biofuel expertise, in-house quality specialists and its delivery network.
According to figures cited by de Vos, Peninsula completed more than 450 biofuel deliveries globally during 2025, serving over 100 customers.
The company said those deliveries helped avoid more than 150,000 tonnes of CO₂e during the year.
The figures indicate that marine biofuel activity is extending beyond isolated trials towards recurring commercial deliveries across the bunker supply chain.
From Demonstration Fuel to Operational Fuel Strategy
The broader development of technical guidance, fuel standards and commercial supply networks is reducing some of the uncertainty surrounding FAME-based marine biofuels.
For shipowners, the transition is therefore increasingly centred on selecting appropriate fuel blends, verifying compatibility, preparing onboard systems and maintaining controls throughout storage and operation.
The combination of established standards and growing operational experience could support further deployment of waste- and residue-based marine fuels, including UCOME, as shipping companies seek ways to reduce emissions from existing fleets without waiting for complete fleet replacement.
Bioenergy Business Analysis
Marine biofuels occupy an important position in the shipping industry’s near- and medium-term decarbonisation pathway because they can potentially be deployed through existing vessels and fuel infrastructure, subject to technical compatibility and appropriate operating controls. The growing availability of FAME-based products and their incorporation into ISO 8217:2024 represent important steps in moving biofuels into a more standardised fuel environment.
However, wider adoption will depend on more than fuel availability. Feedstock sustainability, certification, lifecycle emissions performance, fuel quality, cost, supply consistency and vessel-specific compatibility will remain important commercial considerations. The increasing body of guidance from IBIA, CIMAC, OEMs and other maritime organisations may help address operational uncertainty, but scaling marine biofuel use will ultimately require reliable supply chains and commercially viable low-carbon fuel pathways.
