Astomos Energy Corporation (Astomos) and INPEX CORPORATION (INPEX) announced today the successful completion of the supply of B24 biofuel bunker to a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) chartered by Astomos. The supply took place at Sharjah port in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on May 21, facilitated by the bunker vessel “MONJASA SHAKER” operated by Monjasa. This marks the first-ever biofuel supply to a VLGC in the Middle East. The VLGC “LYCASTE PEACE” safely utilized the B24 biofuel until June 5.
The B24 biofuel is composed of 24 percent fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and 76 percent very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO), a conventional bunker fuel. The FAME used in the biofuel was produced by Dubai-based Neutral Fuels, utilizing waste cooking oil collected from restaurants and hotels in the UAE. Monjasa supplied the VLSFO and blended it with the FAME. The FAME used in the biofuel was certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification system, which encompasses various bio-based feedstocks and renewables.
Astomos and INPEX have a history of jointly pursuing initiatives for the realization of a carbon-neutral society. This includes their carbon-neutral propane gas sales and purchase agreement signed in September 2021. The recent biofuel bunker supply in the Middle East aligns with this initiative, and the companies will continue to take further steps to accelerate their efforts, such as expanding the supply of biofuel bunker.
The term “FAME” stands for Fatty Acid Methyl Ester, which is an ingredient used to determine different designations in biofuels. Examples of these designations include UCOME (Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester), PME (Palm Methyl Ester), RME (Rapeseed Methyl Ester), SME (Soybean Methyl Ester), and TME (Tallow Methyl Ester). The B24 biofuel supplied by INPEX consists of 24 percent FAME and 76 percent VLSFO.
Astomos was established from merger between, LPG division of both Idemistu Kosan and Mitsubishi Corporation in year 2006.Since then, we expanded our business in both domestic and international businesses.Because Japan has to rely on imports for energy sources, one of our mission is to provide safe and continuous imports for Japan. But not only Japan, we look towards providing LPG to any areas where LPG demand exists. We hope to be your good business partner for the next dacade.
Source Astomos Energy Corporation