Kawasaki City announced on Thursday that the city signed a tripartite agreement with NX Shoji Co., Ltd. and Kanematsu Petroleum Corporation for a pilot project to supply bio-bunker at Kawasaki port. Under this agreement, biofuel (planned to be made from FAME) procured domestically and internationally would be blended with domestically produced heavy fuel oil on a stationary barge without propulsion. The blended fuel would be supplied to vessels via barges moored in Kawasaki City.
Kawasaki City will oversee the supply of bio-bunker, including the use of port facilities and issuance of exclusive permits. NX Shoji will be responsible for the procurement of biofuel, supply to vessels at both port of Kawasaki and Tokyo Bay, and the installation, management, and inventory control of supply equipment. Kanematsu Petroleum would handle biofuel supply in the same region.
Marlet players mentioned that the initial supply would target domestic vessels. Through this agreement, the parties aim to build a biofuel supply infrastructure, verify CO₂ reduction effects, and identify operational challenges, contributing to the realization of carbon neutrality at the Kawasaki port.