NYK has commenced a one-year long-term trial using continuous 100% biofuel (B100) on a car carrier it operates.
NYK says the trial will run in real-world conditions, with the goal of building evidence on both performance impacts and operational safety.
B100 trial scope: equipment, fuel supply systems, and operating practices
The trial is designed to evaluate the fuel’s effects on the vessel’s equipment, while also assessing impacts on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices during continuous operation on B100 for one year.
Operational safety validation in real-world use
NYK aims to verify operational safety under real-world conditions, rather than relying on limited test windows, by keeping the car carrier on continuous B100 use throughout the trial period.
Why NYK is leaning on high-purity biofuels
NYK seeks to accumulate technical expertise to support broader use of high-purity biofuels and to further accelerate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s rationale is tied to how biofuels are positioned as a promising drop-in option that can be used with existing ship engines and infrastructure, even as high-purity biofuels such as B100 are susceptible to degradation from oxygen, light, and heat.
Prior B24 and B30 steps before longer B100 continuity
NYK previously conducted a biofuel trial using a B24 blend in 2024 and subsequently expanded practical usage to a B30 biofuel blend after the B24 trial. NYK also highlights that there is limited global experience with the long-term continuous use of B100, and raises concerns about the stability of high-purity biofuels during long-term use.