TotalEnergies Marine Fuels completes first biobunkering in France

In France, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels completed its first biofuel bunkering trials in France following the success of similar tests in Singapore last year which led to the commencement of commercial operations.

The launch of these biofuels activities underscores TotalEnergies Marine Fuels’ commitment to contribute to the decarbonization of the shipping industry, by developing a suite of low-carbon fuels, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), bio-methane, e-methanol and e-ammonia amongst others. 

Two biofuel bunker operations took place in January 2023 in France.

In the first trial, at the Port of Le Havre, the TotalEnergies-chartered tanker “Minerva Tychi” was supplied with 200 MT of a bio-marine gas oil (MGO) blend on January 3rd. The blend was composed of MGO and 30% second-generation, sustainable, waste-based and ISCC-certified UCOME (Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester), via truck-to-ship transfer.

The operation marks the first biofuel bunker operation that was completed at the French port. It was also notable because it leveraged TotalEnergies’ company-wide resources to set up a local marine biofuel supply chain, from the sourcing of bio-feedstock to the provision of logistics and blending solutions and the eventual bunker delivery to the tanker.

In the second trial, TotalEnergies and Corsica Ferries joined forces and successfully completed the first biofuel bunker operation in the French Mediterranean. During the bunkering in the Port of Toulon, Southern France, 100 MT of biofuel comprising MGO blended with 30% second-generation, waste-based and ISCC-certified UCOME (Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester) was transferred via truck-to-ship operations to the 26,000 tonne Ro-Ro/Passenger ship, “Mega Express Two”.