Energy company Mabanaft has announced a significant agreement with leading shipping company Hapag-Lloyd to supply B30 biofuel in the Port of Hamburg. The collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to decarbonizing maritime operations. As part of the agreement, a trial delivery of 1,000 metric tonnes (mt) of B30 Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) was scheduled from Mabanaft’s Waltershof tank terminal to the container ship Delaware Express on December 12, marking a key milestone in Hamburg’s biofuel adoption.
Pioneering Cleaner Marine Fuels
The introduction of B30 biofuel, which blends traditional VLSFO with 30% bio-components, is expected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions without requiring engine modifications. This makes it a practical and efficient option for ship operators transitioning to cleaner energy solutions.
“The demands on the shipping industry to use cleaner fuels will continue to increase in the coming years,” stated Helmut Oldekamp, Head of Marine Fuels & Industry at Mabanaft. “We are prepared for this and will support our customers in the best possible way with solutions for the energy transition.”
Supporting Hapag-Lloyd’s Net-Zero Goals
For Hapag-Lloyd, the initiative aligns with its ambitious sustainability goals. “We are very pleased that Mabanaft is providing biofuels in the Port of Hamburg,” said Jan Christensen, Senior Director of Global Fuel Purchasing at Hapag-Lloyd. “The cooperation between suppliers and buyers and the establishment of real trials will help to further improve the availability of biofuels. Our goal is to achieve net-zero fleet operations by 2045 – and biofuels will play an important role in this.”
Expanding Biofuel Infrastructure in Hamburg
Traditionally, hubs like Rotterdam and Singapore have dominated the biofuel market, while Hamburg has seen limited activity in this space. Mabanaft aims to change this. “The agreement with Hapag-Lloyd is a great opportunity to make more B30 biofuel available in Hamburg in the future,” said Michael Wiring, Senior Trader Marine Fuels at Mabanaft.
This partnership reflects Mabanaft’s broader strategy to diversify its product offerings and cater to the growing demand for both conventional and low-carbon fuels in the shipping industry.
About Hapag-Lloyd
Hapag-Lloyd is among the world’s top liner shipping companies, with a fleet of 287 modern container ships offering a total transport capacity of 2.2 million TEU. Operating the largest fleet under the German flag, Hapag-Lloyd maintains a presence in 140 countries through 13,700 employees and 400 offices worldwide. In addition to its vast container fleet, which includes a leading reefer segment, the company has equity stakes in 20 terminals across Europe, Latin America, North America, India, and North Africa, offering comprehensive logistics services at select locations.
About Mabanaft
The Mabanaft Group is a leading independent energy company that provides innovative energy solutions across transportation, heating, industrial, and agricultural sectors. The group is actively involved in importing, distributing, and marketing petroleum products, natural gas liquids, chemicals, and biofuels. Committed to supporting the global energy transition, Mabanaft offers alternative fuel solutions to help its customers meet long-term sustainability goals.
Source Mabanaft Group