Successful trial of 100% bio diesel on board CTV
As part of a programme of activity working towards carbon neutrality, Tidal Transit has fully tested a MAN V12 diesel engine using 100% renewable fuel on board a crew transfer vessel.
After a year spent working for Ørsted and James Fisher Marine Services supporting offshore wind farms on the UK’s west coast, the Kitty Petra was recently moved from Barrow-in-Furness to Grimsby for scheduled winter maintenance.
For the 150 nautical mile journey from Ramsgate in Kent to Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, the CTV took on board Crown Oil’s HVO100 with no negative effect on performance. “We are delighted for Tidal Transit to perform another ‘industry first’, showing that many CTVs serving offshore wind farms can run on 100% bio diesel rather than marine diesel,” said Tidal Transit’s commercial director, Leo Hambro.
Previously, 30% HVO has been successfully trialled by others, but the move to full 100% HVO reduces CO2 emissions by over 90%, as well as reducing both the NOx and SOx in comparison to marine diesel.
Crown Oil has been supplying HVO100 since 2019. “It has proven to be the cleanest form of diesel available which can significantly reduce CO2, NOx, SOx as well as diesel particulates. In addition, due to there being no FAME additives, the chances of water collection and the formation of diesel bugs is almost eliminated,” said Ryan Abreu from Crown Oil.
The fuel was purchased without any subsidy support from the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, adding significant cost to the trial to prove the fuel’s viability.
