Experts from the EU CLEANSHIP project have found that using B100 FAME biodiesel can significantly reduce black carbon emissions from ships—up to 81% at low engine loads and 61% at high loads compared to traditional marine gas oil (MGO). These findings were based on a three-day voyage of the vessel Falstria Swan, where emissions were monitored using an advanced sensor developed by Green Instruments in collaboration with the Danish Technological Institute.
Black carbon, a harmful emission from shipping, contributes to climate change and deteriorates air quality. Simon Bastrup Spangenberg from the Danish Technological Institute noted the surprising extent of the reduction, highlighting biodiesel’s potential to lower both CO₂ and black carbon emissions, which is crucial for improving the shipping industry’s climate footprint.
Troels Reppien, Technical Director at Uni-Tankers, emphasized that the new data on biodiesel will inform investments in greener technologies. However, despite its benefits, biodiesel production currently meets only a fraction of the global shipping fleet’s energy needs. The CLEANSHIP project continues to explore further emission reduction strategies and has submitted its findings to the IMO in a white paper. The initiative is supported by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency with a grant of 18.2 million DKK.
