HMM Achieves Korea's First Successful Demonstration of Eco-Friendly Alternative Fuel 'Bio Heavy Oil' for Ships

The 13,000 TEU container ship 'HMM Dream' that successfully completed the demonstration of the eco-friendly alternative fuel 'bio heavy oil'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] HMM announced on the 19th that it has completed the ship demonstration of the eco-friendly alternative fuel "bio heavy oil," the first in Korea to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

On the 1st, the 13,000 TEU-class container ship "HMM Dream" departed from Busan Port for the ship demonstration of the eco-friendly alternative fuel "bio heavy oil." The "Dream" confirmed successful results through about 10 days of demonstration on the Pacific route from Busan to the Panama Canal using a diesel generator.

In August last year, HMM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Bioenergy Association, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, and Korean Register to demonstrate the use of the eco-friendly fuel "bio heavy oil" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

So far, the consortium has been actively conducting research activities. In particular, the Korea Bioenergy Association was responsible for supplying test bio heavy oil and component analysis; Hyundai Heavy Industries and Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering provided test engines and established test facilities for land-based tests; and Korean Register evaluated data derived from land and sea tests.

The ship demonstration, the final stage of the research activities, was led by HMM to ultimately confirm the feasibility of using bio heavy oil for ships in the future. This ship demonstration is the first case in Korea of applying bio heavy oil, which is used in domestic power plants, to ships.

Bio heavy oil is a heavy oil alternative fuel made from unused resources such as animal and vegetable oils and by-products of biodiesel processes. Currently, Korea has a production capacity of about 2 million tons, and it is recognized as a carbon-neutral fuel and supplied as fuel for power generation under the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The greenhouse gas reduction effect of bio heavy oil varies depending on the mixing ratio, and the higher the ratio, the greater the reduction effect.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) mandates reducing ship greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels. Recently, the European Union (EU) has been promoting legislation that includes the shipping sector in the greenhouse gas emissions trading system and mandates the use of eco-friendly fuels, making it necessary for the shipping industry to establish strategies to reduce greenhouse gases.

An HMM official stated, "The successful outcome of this bio heavy oil ship demonstration will serve as a catalyst to accelerate the commercialization of bio heavy oil for ships in the future," adding, "We will prepare for global environmental regulations and become an eco-friendly shipping company through continuous research to reduce greenhouse gases."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.