Nippon Biofuel Co. and Kuribayashi Steamship have completed a landmark trial using a jatropha-based B10 blend on a RORO vessel in Tokyo. Backed by METI and supported by the Ghana Embassy, the test proves the viability of non-edible jatropha SVO as a “drop-in” maritime fuel. This trial establishes a new sustainable supply chain for the Japanese fleet, utilizing feedstocks from Ghana and Mozambique.
Japan | March 18, 2026 – Nippon Biofuel Co. has successfully supplied a jatropha-derived biofuel blend for a bunker trial on a Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) vessel, marking a major step in Japan’s search for non-food-competing maritime fuels.
The trial was launched on March 18, at the Shinagawa Wharf in Tokyo. The vessel, operated by Kuribayashi Steamship Co., Ltd., utilized a B10 blend consisting of:
- 10% Jatropha-derived Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO)
- 90% Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO)
The “Drop-In” Solution
Nippon Biofuel confirmed that the SVO blend functions as a “drop-in” fuel, meaning it requires zero engine modifications. The seven-day domestic voyage was designed to monitor:
- Combustion Performance: How the ship’s engine handles the jatropha-VLSFO mixture in real-world conditions.
- System Compatibility: The impact on the existing fuel supply and filtration systems.
A Ghana-Japan Sustainable Supply Chain
The feedstock for the landmark trial was sustainably sourced from Nippon Biofuel’s proprietary plantations in Ghana and established contract farms in Mozambique. By developing high-yield Jatropha varieties capable of producing significantly more oil than wild strains, the company has positioned Jatropha-derived SVO as a scalable, non-edible alternative to Waste Cooking Oil (WCO), which currently faces severe global supply constraints.
“The successful completion of this trial at Shinagawa Pier signifies a new era for sustainable, non-edible biofuels in the Japanese domestic fleet.” – Nippon Biofuel Co. Official Statement
Strategic Partnership: Ghana’s Green Energy Role
This project aligns with the TICAD 9 framework and supports the International Maritime Organization (IMO) greenhouse gas reduction targets. For Ghana, the initiative represents a strategic opening to become a primary global supplier of sustainable maritime feedstock.
Nippon Biofuel Co., Ltd. has revealed plans to expand Jatropha cultivation specifically within Ghana’s Bono Region. Furthermore, the company is exploring the construction of a local biodiesel processing facility. This move would transition Ghana from a raw material exporter to a high-value partner in the global green energy chain, fostering local industrialization and rural development.
“The exercise marked a significant step toward the practical application of biofuels in Japan’s maritime industry, offering a cost-effective and scalable alternative to more processed biofuels.” – Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in Tokyo
About Nippon Biofuel Co., Ltd. (NBF)
Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Nippon Biofuel Co., Ltd. (formerly Nippon Biodiesel Fuel) is a pioneer in “cultivation-derived” energy. Under the leadership of CEO Makoto Goda, the company focuses on creating sustainable, self-contained energy cycles that benefit both the environment and local communities.
Key Strategic Pillars:
- Jatropha Specialization: NBF has spent over two decades developing high-yield varieties of Jatropha curcas, a non-edible, drought-resistant oilseed. Their proprietary strains can achieve up to 50 times the productivity of wild varieties, making them a scalable alternative to food-based biofuels.
- African Supply Chain: The company operates a robust production network in Mozambique (through its subsidiary ADM) and Ghana. This includes over 6,000 contract farmers who cultivate Jatropha as “green fences” to avoid competing with food crops for land.
- Peace Engineering: NBF operates under a philosophy of “Peace Engineering,” aiming for regional self-sufficiency in energy, food, and finance. This includes the development of digital platforms (Nokyo Digital Base) and electronic vouchers to integrate smallholder farmers into the global value chain.
- Maritime Innovation: In March 2026, NBF achieved a major milestone by supplying a Jatropha-based B10 biofuel blend for a successful RORO vessel trial with Kuribayashi Steamship, a project supported by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
Source: Nippon Biofuel Co., Ltd.