Soybean biodiesel identified as key near-term maritime fuel

A study published in Nature Sustainability indicates that soybean-based biodiesel is a more effective near-term solution for reducing emissions in the Asia-Europe shipping corridor than electrofuels. Researchers found that while electrofuels are currently only 11.1% to 35.6% as cost-competitive as heavy fuel oil, they may become viable after 2040 as renewable electricity costs decline.

On a well-to-wake basis, the study assessed various alternatives, noting that bio-LNG could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 47.4% compared to heavy fuel oil, bio-methanol by 41.5%, and bio-hydrogen by 31.1%.

The research also highlights the influence of regulatory frameworks. The authors suggest the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Net-Zero Framework, which utilizes carbon-intensity targets and penalties, serves as a more globally balanced driver for transition than the EU’s FuelEU Maritime regulation, which they claim adds a cost premium of up to 7.6%.