Recently, in order to further promote the application of biodiesel in the field of ships, the Preparatory Committee of China (Yangtze River Delta-East China) Biofuel Technology and Industry Development Alliance was formally established in Shanghai. The Preparatory Committee of the Alliance, led by the Shanghai Food Safety Federation, will jointly explore and implement the demonstration application of biodiesel in the whole process and industry chain in Shanghai, Yangtze River Delta and even East China, promote the green transformation of China’s shipping industry and open a new chapter for biodiesel’s "going to the sea".

　　■ Promote the expansion of application scenarios

　　Biodiesel is a liquid renewable fuel produced with animal and vegetable oils as the main raw materials, which has the characteristics of high cetane number and low sulfur, and is generally used after being mixed with traditional petrochemical diesel in a certain proportion. Biodiesel production in China is mainly based on "waste cooking oil" and leftover materials of oil industry, which can greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with traditional petrochemical diesel.

　　In the Notice on Organizing the Pilot Demonstration of Biodiesel Promotion and Application, the National Energy Administration proposed to expand the application scenarios of domestic biodiesel by organizing the pilot demonstration of biodiesel promotion and application, including the promotion of vehicle biodiesel and marine biodiesel, such as "promoting the application of biodiesel (fuel oil) such as marine vessels B5 and B24 in bonded areas and free trade zones".

　　At present, Shanghai has formed a complete industrial chain system of "collection, transportation, disposal, adjustment and use" of biodiesel, which is mainly used for road traffic. By the end of 2023, Shanghai had injected 2.882 billion liters (about 2.4799 million tons) of B5 diesel into 35.95 million diesel vehicles, consumed 146,300 tons of biodiesel (BD 100), and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 350,000 tons.

　　The establishment of the Alliance Preparatory Committee will further unite relevant enterprises in the industrial chain, copy and promote Shanghai’s successful model to the shipping field, and help the green transformation of China’s shipping field.

　　"Biodiesel, as a renewable substitute for petrochemical diesel, has the characteristics of good environmental protection performance, good engine starting performance, good fuel performance, wide source of raw materials and renewable. The popularization and application of biodiesel is of great significance for optimizing China’s energy structure, ensuring energy security and reducing environmental pollution. " Hang Xingping, general manager of Shanghai China Gas Ship Fuel Co., Ltd. said.

　　■ Helping the green transformation of shipping

　　The International Maritime Organization proposes that in 2030, the total annual greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping should be reduced by at least 20% compared with 2008, and strive to reduce by 30%; By 2040, the total annual greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping should be reduced by at least 70% compared with 2008, and strive to reduce by 80%. In this context, major shipping companies are exploring green fuels. Biodiesel has become one of the most realistic choices for international shipowners in the short term because of its sustainable environmental protection and easy access.

　　"The main characteristics of the shipping industry are the complexity of technology, ship type and scene, and the large scale of fuel consumption. Under the background of’ double carbon’ target, ship refueling faces great challenges. At the important time node of the transition from traditional fuels to new fuels, how to accelerate the replacement of stocks is a difficult problem that must be overcome to achieve zero emissions. " Chen Shenjun, head of the Party Committee of Shanghai China Gas Ship Fuel Co., Ltd. said, "Biofuel oil can be directly used in the main engine and boiler of ships, and basically there is no need to transform the existing power equipment such as engines. For ships that can only choose traditional fuels, considering the cost of fuel transformation and technical maturity, bio-fuel oil is attractive. "

　　According to reports, according to the current rules of the International Maritime Organization and the European Union, biodiesel (fuel oil) that has passed international sustainable development and carbon certification (ISCC) can be used for carbon emission reduction calculation. Therefore, the relevant members of the Alliance Preparatory Committee are currently promoting the ISCC certification project for domestic biodiesel.

　　"ISCC certification is carried out for the whole process and products of meal waste oil produced by domestic oil-producing enterprises, biodiesel produced by production enterprises and B24 biodiesel produced by manufacturing and selling enterprises. Domestic and foreign ships can calculate the carbon emission reduction equally when sailing internationally or entering the EU region by filling the certified B24 diesel in China, so as to solve the urgent need for a large number of domestic ships to fill marine B24 biodiesel." Lin Dao, the project leader of Shanghai China Gas Ship Fuel Co., Ltd., told the reporter of China Energy News.

　　■ Open up the internal circulation of biodiesel.

　　The data shows that in 2023, the total output of biodiesel in China exceeded 2 million tons, of which exports accounted for nearly 90%.

　　At present, the pilot supply of marine biodiesel in China is mainly based on external circulation mode. Domestic biodiesel producers export raw materials and products for producing BD100 biodiesel to overseas manufacturers, and overseas manufacturers make BD100 biodiesel into B24 biofuel overseas, and then relevant domestic enterprises buy it and fill it on domestic ships leading to the European Union.

　　"The establishment of the Alliance Preparatory Committee will unite the upstream and downstream units of biodiesel and strive to promote and apply the external circulation mode of domestic biodiesel to the internal circulation mode at this stage." Lin Dao said that the BD100 produced by domestic enterprises will be directly modulated into B24 marine bio-fuel and injected into ocean-going vessels.

　　"The EU anti-dumping investigation has accelerated the opening of the domestic biodiesel market. Now the mandatory national standard for B5 biodiesel is in progress, and the ISCC certification for B24 biodiesel is also accelerating. I believe that the domestic biodiesel market will definitely embark on the fast track. " Song Jianguo, executive vice president and secretary general of Bioenergy Branch of China Forestry and Environment Promotion Association, pointed out that with the expansion of the market in the future, from the perspective of raw oil, it may be necessary to expand to non-edible oil and further expand the raw material market. I hope to work with the upstream and downstream enterprises in the industrial chain to jointly promote the high-quality and sustainable development of the biodiesel industry.