Biofuel transition in transport and maritime sectors

The maritime and transport sectors are increasingly exploring advanced biofuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To prevent competition with food crops such as corn and wheat, there is a growing emphasis on utilizing bio-residues and waste products from the agricultural, forestry, and food-processing industries. In the maritime sector, regulations like the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) provide incentives for using materials such as used cooking oil and animal fat as ‘drop-in’ replacements for conventional oils.

In the European Union, plans are underway for a significant transition toward the widespread introduction of E20 fuel, which contains up to 20% bioethanol. While proponents suggest this shift could reduce emissions by up to 80% and offer lower costs at the pump, technical concerns have been raised. Experts note that the lower energy density of ethanol may increase fuel consumption by approximately 3%. Additionally, specialists warn that ethanol’s chemical properties could cause corrosion in metal components or damage rubber seals in older vehicle fuel systems that lack explicit manufacturer approval.