Sunoil and BFT have successfully converted the inland barge Birjo II to run entirely on 100% biodiesel (B100), slashing carbon emissions by up to 90% without requiring an engine replacement. Operating on Dutch waterways, this milestone establishes a fully integrated, zero-emission supply chain that offers a highly scalable, cost-effective blueprint for European maritime decarbonization.
Netherlands | May 29, 2026 – In a move that signals a pragmatic leap forward for inland waterway decarbonization, Dutch biofuel producer Sunoil, in close collaboration with logistics specialist BFT and vessel operator DK Shipping, has successfully converted the inland barge Birjo II to operate entirely on 100% biodiesel (B100).
Operating on the dense network of Dutch inland waterways, the vessel achieves a 90% reduction in well-to-wake CO₂ emissions compared to conventional marine gasoil (MGO). Crucially, the milestone was achieved without replacing the vessel’s existing internal combustion engine, offering a highly scalable blueprint for European short-sea and inland shipping operators facing tightening emissions mandates under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and FuelEU Maritime frameworks.
Operational Integration: Closing the Circular Fuel Loop
The Birjo II is a large-capacity inland barge dedicated to the transport of liquid biofuels. By converting this specific vessel to B100, Sunoil has effectively established a self-sustaining, closed-loop supply chain.
- The Route: The vessel primarily moves product from Sunoil’s highly integrated production facility in Kampen, Netherlands, to various strategic storage hubs and direct commercial bunkering customers.
- The Synergy: The barge is fueled directly at the Kampen terminal. This eliminates the scope 3 emissions typically associated with trucking or secondary transport of the marine fuel itself.
“What makes this project especially valuable for Sunoil is that Birjo II now operates on our own biodiesel while transporting renewable fuels between our locations and customers,” noted Jeroen Hovius, Chief Commercial Officer at Sunoil. “It creates a platform for the conversion and rollout of multiple barges operating on B100 across Europe.”
Technical Spotlight: Retrofitting vs. Fleet Replacement
For the broader maritime and bunkering sector, the primary significance of the Birjo II project lies in its capital expenditure (CapEx) efficiency.
While the maritime sector frequently debates the long-term merits of hydrogen, ammonia, or full electrification, these technologies require entirely new hull designs or prohibitively expensive engine overhauls. The conversion to B100 proves that existing legacy assets can be rapidly adapted to meet modern climate targets.
Key Technical and Environmental Metrics
| Parameter | Specifications & Impact |
| Vessel Owner | DK Shipping |
| Fuel Type | 100% Unblended Biodiesel (B100) |
| Carbon Reduction | Up to 90% CO₂ equivalent reduction vs. fossil equivalents |
| Engine Modifications | Retrofitted existing engine architecture (no full replacement required) |
| Primary Deployment | Dutch Inland Waterways |
By maintaining the existing engine block and optimizing the fuel injection, fuel conditioning, and storage systems to handle the distinct viscosity and solvent properties of pure biodiesel, BFT and Sunoil have mitigated the operational downtime usually associated with fleet decarbonization.
Market Context: Driving Biofuel Demand in Continental Europe
The European inland shipping sector is under intense pressure to decarbonize. While Germany historically led early biodiesel adoption due to strict national transport quotas, the Netherlands and broader Northwestern European markets have rapidly accelerated their uptake. This shift is driven by corporate ESG mandates and tightening cross-border low-carbon fuel standards.
Sunoil’s infrastructure is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this surging demand:
- Kampen Facility: Offers direct harbor access, optimizing maritime logistics and enabling direct barge-to-vessel or plant-to-barge fueling.
- Emmen Hub: A state-of-the-art production facility and automated logistics center capable of handling roughly 100 industrial transactions daily.
- R&D Capability: Supported by an in-house laboratory and an Amsterdam-based trading office, allowing the company to continuously tailor fuel specs to meet strict marine engine warranties.
Industry Perspective: Reliability in the Green Transition
For vessel operators and cargo owners, the primary hurdle to alternative fuel adoption remains the “triple threat” of supply security, fuel quality, and operational continuity.
“For our customers, everything revolves around reliability, quality, and continuity,” stated Johann de Koning, General Manager at BFT. “In Sunoil, we have found a partner that shares those same values. Together with the Birjo II, we are taking an important step toward a more sustainable and efficient collaboration.”
As European regulatory scrutiny sharpens on inland waterways, the Birjo II project serves as a commercial proof-of-concept. It demonstrates to traditional bunkering stakeholders that B100 is no longer a niche test case, but a drop-in reality capable of hauling heavy volumes today.
About the Companies
Sunoil Biodiesel
Sunoil Biodiesel is a leading European producer and supplier of high-grade, sustainable biofuels, operating advanced production facilities and logistics hubs in Emmen and Kampen, Netherlands, alongside a strategic trading office in Amsterdam. Driven by a core commitment to practical innovation, the company leverages an in-house R&D laboratory and direct harbor access to ensure high logistic flexibility and efficiency. Sunoil employs over 60 people and utilizes a robust network of external experts to supply its premium biodiesel via direct and indirect channels to customers across the Netherlands, Scandinavia, the UK, and Western, Northern, and Southern Europe.
Bruinsma Freriks Transport – BFT Tanker Logistics
Established in 2000, Bruinsma Freriks Transport – BFT Tanker Logistics, specializes in the flexible and economical transport of liquid mineral oil and bio-based products via inland waterways. Operating a diverse, modern fleet of single- and double-hulled barges across various sizes, BFT primarily services the vital Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) bunkering hub, alongside all reachable European waterway destinations. Beyond standard freight, the company actively collaborates on specialized logistics and optimization projects designed to streamline transport modalities and drive supply chain efficiency.
Source: BFT | SunOil