Brazil’s Be8 and Navegação Aliança have successfully validated BeVant® B100 biofuel for maritime use, achieving a 99.41% GHG emission reduction on the vessel NM João Malmann. The 50-hour trial in the Rio Grande do Sul corridor, monitored by Volvo Penta, confirmed that the double-distilled methyl ester functions as a high-performance “drop-in” fuel requiring zero engine modifications.
Brazil | March 2, 2026 – In a major validation for the South American green corridor, renewable energy leader Be8 and Navegação Aliança Ltda., part of the Trevisa S.A. holding, have successfully concluded a pioneering maritime operation using Be8 BeVant® 100% biofuel. The results represent a significant milestone for inland waterway decarbonization, proving that existing engine architectures can achieve near-total emission abatement without costly retrofits.
The trial, conducted in December 2025 on the vessel NM João Malmann, utilized Be8 BeVant®, a proprietary high-performance biofuel. The results confirmed a staggering 99.41% reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions compared to conventional marine diesel.
Strategic Validation by Volvo Penta
The operation was part of the “100% Biofuel Alliance Project,” a joint R&D initiative launched in 2024 to accelerate sustainable energy solutions for Brazil’s critical logistics modals. The trial covered a rigorous route through the Rio Grande do Sul corridor, spanning Porto Alegre, Rio Grande, Pelotas, and Guaíba.
Key Technical Performance Indicators:
- Endurance: Over 50 hours of continuous high-load navigation without power loss.
- Engine Integrity: The operation was closely monitored by Volvo Penta’s technical team, which analyzed performance data to validate the biofuel for its new generation of marine engines.
- Operational Parity: The vessel maintained standard efficiency and safety metrics, requiring zero modifications to the existing propulsion system.
Decarbonization Without the CAPEX
While fuels like ammonia and methanol dominate future headlines, they require massive capital expenditure (CAPEX) and years of infrastructure development. The Be8 trial highlights the scalability of “drop-in” fuels, specifically double-distilled methyl esters, which allow shipowners to decarbonize their current assets.
“The initiative reinforces the viability of Be8 BeVant® as a scalable solution with immediate impact, proving that the energy transition in navigation can, and should, happen now,” the company stated.
Brazil as the Global Bio-Bunker Hub
Inland navigation is the backbone of Rio Grande do Sul’s logistics. By decarbonizing this segment, Navegação Aliança is effectively creating a “green corridor.” This allows cargo owners to significantly reduce the Scope 3 emissions of their supply chains, a growing requirement for global exporters.
Technical Spotlight: Why BeVant®
Be8 BeVant® is not a standard biodiesel. Announced in 2023, it is a double-distilled methyl ester designed to function as an Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) equivalent.
- Purity: Secondary distillation removes the impurities that typically lead to filter clogging and injector wear in B100 applications.
- Lubricity: Naturally high lubricity protects fuel pumps without the need for chemical additives used in fossil ULSD.
- Cold-Flow: Optimized for performance in variable maritime temperatures.
About the Players
Be8: Leading the Circular Innovation Ecosystem
Headquartered in Passo Fundo, Brazil, Be8 is a renewable energy powerhouse with a massive industrial footprint across Brazil, Paraguay, and Switzerland.
- Current Projects: Leading the construction of the Omega Green biorefinery in Paraguay for advanced biofuels (HVO, SAF, and Naphtha).
- Future Expansion: Constructing a cereal-processing plant in Passo Fundo (Ethanol, Gluten, and CO2) expected to begin operations in the second half of 2026.
Navegação Aliança Ltda.
Founded in 1932, Navegação Aliança is a leading inland waterway logistics company in Rio Grande do Sul, operating major ports including Rio Grande, Pelotas, Porto Alegre, and Guaíba. With the largest privately owned fleet in the South Basin, it transports commodities such as cellulose, wood, fertilizers, grains, clinker, and general containerized cargo. As part of Trevisa S.A., the company combines operational efficiency with strong safety and environmental standards.
Source: Be8