Tata Steel: First Indian firm fully loads B24 biofuel voyage Aus to India

10 May 2024 CW Team

Tata Steel announced that it had become the first Indian steel company to embark on a fully loaded journey from the East Coast of Australia to India. According to a press release by the company, the cape vessel named "MV Cape XL" set sail from Gladstone port after loading 148,500 metric tons of coal on April 17 and reached the Kalinga International Coal Terminal Paradip (KICTPPL) port on May 8.

The voyage was highlighted as a significant achievement in sustainable shipping practices within India, marking a notable milestone in the country?s maritime sector. It was noted that the vessel utilized a B24 biofuel blend along with Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) for power.

The B24 blend, recognized as the prevailing benchmark grade for marine biofuel, incorporates 24% used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME) with 76% VLSFO. During its journey from Gladstone to Paradip with a full load, MV Cape XL utilized biofuel obtained from its ballast port in Guangzhou, China. The carbon emission for this leg of the journey was estimated to be approximately 565 tons less, which signifies a 20% reduction compared to a traditional cape vessel using VLSFO, aligning with the company's Scope 3 reduction targets.

Peeyush Gupta, the Vice President of TQM, Group Strategic Procurement, and Supply Chain at Tata Steel, commented on the initiative, expressing that by employing biofuel in maritime operations, Tata Steel not only affirms its dedication to reducing carbon emissions but also establishes a new standard for sustainability within the industry. Gupta stated that by opting for a biofuel blend for the voyage from Australia to India, they were able to reduce carbon emissions by 20%, thus making a significant contribution towards their scope 3 reduction targets.

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