Lang
Japan has taken a major step towards enhancing sustainability in its maritime transport sector by operating a coastal vessel using biofuel derived from used cooking oil — the first time this type of fuel has been used in ocean-going vessels.
The innovative project marks a significant milestone in Japan's commitment to finding environmentally friendly fuel alternatives for the shipping industry. The fuel used consists of a blend of used cooking oil, extracted from Japanese vegetable oils and fats, mixed with heavy fuel oil. Unlike conventional biofuels, which undergo chemical processing such as transesterification or hydrogenation, this fuel was used without any chemical treatment, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective option for the maritime sector.
The fuel blend consisted of 24% crude vegetable oil combined with heavy fuel oil and was tested on a coastal vessel that sailed between Mikawa Bay and Tokyo Bay for approximately one month. Throughout this period, the vessel operated smoothly with no performance or ignition issues recorded, highlighting the significant potential of using crude vegetable oils in their raw state, without chemical modification — an approach that could cut carbon dioxide emissions more effectively than processed biofuels.
The project forms part of a broader programme aimed at exploring alternative fuel applications in Japan's maritime sector, and was carried out in collaboration between several key parties, including Hanwa Co. Ltd., which supplied the biofuel, and Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co. Ltd., which was responsible for shipping. The success of this trial demonstrates that Japan is moving in the right direction to reduce the carbon footprint of its maritime operations, particularly for small coastal vessels that lack the space or infrastructure needed to store more complex alternative fuels such as hydrogen or ammonia.
One of the key advantages of this biofuel is its ability to run in existing vessels without requiring major modifications to engines or other core systems, making it a practical, environmentally friendly option that can be readily integrated into current infrastructure. Its relatively low cost, combined with its environmental benefits, also makes it a strong candidate for wider adoption across the shipping sector.
This direction aligns with Japan's broader environmental goals, particularly as outlined in the updated "MOL Environmental Vision 2.2," published in April 2023, which focuses on reducing carbon emissions and shifting towards cleaner energy sources in the maritime industry, with particular attention to smaller vessels that cannot accommodate the complex systems required for other alternative fuels.
This pioneering project follows a previous successful trial in June that involved the use of liquefied biomethane fuel, further reinforcing Japan's commitment to developing sustainable solutions for its maritime sector. Japan's shipping industry continues to play a leading global role in decarbonising maritime transport, with the MOL Group continuing to support these initiatives through investment in research and development of alternative fuels such as biofuel.
The project stands as a successful model of how innovative solutions can help mitigate the environmental impact of global shipping, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and support a more sustainable future for maritime transport.
Japan's active participation in these initiatives is essential not only for reducing its own carbon footprint, but also for demonstrating to the world that biofuels and other alternative energy sources can be practical, economically viable solutions for maritime transport. The success of the coastal vessel trial running on biofuel derived from used cooking oil represents a major step towards achieving sustainability goals, proving that the future of alternative energy in the shipping industry is not only possible, but realistic and achievable.