Idemitsu, Kanematsu start biofuel supply for ships

Market: Biofuels, Emissions, Freight, Oil products
03/12/25

Japanese refiner Idemitsu and trading house Kanematsu have started supplying biofuel mixed with fatty acid methyl ester (Fame) for oceangoing ships, to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the maritime sector, the companies said today.

In October, Idemitsu began bunkering cleaner fuel oil, which includes up to 24pc of Fame, for oceangoing ships, using Kanematsu' storage and shipping facilities in southern Japan's Kokura, a spokesperson at Idemitsu told Argus on 3 December.

Under this partnership, Kanematsu procures Fame and blends it with fuel oil supplied by Idemitsu.The Fame mixture will cut GHG emissions by around 20pccompared with conventional fuel, Kanematsu said.

Idemitsu aims to deliver a total of 5,000t of bio-blended fuel by March 2026, including supply for domestic vessels. This is equivalent to the amount of fuel consumed by a 300,000 dwt vessel during about 50 days of operation, the company added.

The start of their commercial operations comes after Idemitsu's demonstration in northern Hokkaido, where it tested bunkering operations for coastal vessels with fuel containing 24pc Fame in 2023-24.

Idemitsu is also gearing up to develop a supply chain for low-carbon methanol for vessels, aiming to start methanol bunkering from the April 2026-March 2027 fiscal year.

By Motoko Hasegawa

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28/10/26

Mali authorises carbon projects for Article 6

London, 28 October (Argus) — The government of Mali has authorised 11 mostly small-scale carbon mitigation projects under Article 6 of the Paris agreement, for which it is identifying buyers. The projects could ensure greenhouse gas reductions or avoidance of over 10mn to of CO2 equivalent (CO2e), Argus calculations show (see table) . A third of the projects involve clean cooking activities and have lifespans ranging between 2014 and 2041. Most are authorised under Article 6.2, while some will use the more regulated approach under the UN's centralised Paris agreement carbon mechanism under Article 6.4. Mali acts as both host and transferring party until an acquiring party is defined, the government said in its initial report on the authorisations submitted to the UN climate arm UNFCCC published this week. A rural electrification programme running between 2016-26 will generate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions savings of 46,000 t of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) a year. A solar energy project "for rural development", running during 2026-30, will save 10,239 t CO2e a year. A small pilot project aiming to develop hydropower in combination with distributing clean cooking equipment, and using the Article 6.4 approach, will run between 2026-31 and generate annual savings of 1,352 t CO2e. A sustainable energy programme will run from 2024-27 and generate annual emissions reductions of 179,008 t CO2e. Four clean cooking projects with different focuses have also been authorised. A project supporting the promotion and dissemination of clean cooking equipment, and using the Article 6.4 approach, will run during 2026-30 and to generate annual emissions reductions of 210,000 t CO2e. A second clean cooking project focuses on the production and distribution of clean cooking equipment. This project will also use the Article 6.4, approach and start in 2026, but has an unlimited lifespan. The project is expected to generate reductions of 150,000 t CO2e a year. Two clean cooking projects will support the production and dissemination of Banco cookstoves manufactured by women in rural areas. The first Banco project uses the Article 6.2 approach and runs from 2014-35. The project aims to cut annual emissions by 101,700 t CO2e. The second Banco project, to run under the Article 6.4 approach from 2026-41, is expected to generate annual savings of 179,008 t CO2e. None of the clean cooking projects authorised under the Article 6.4 approach aim for any non-permanence provisions, as would be expected under the stricter rules of Article 6.4, the initial report shows. Three projects focus on land use. A forestry and land-use project running from 2026-30, and using the Article 6.4 approach, aims to restore degraded land and undertake reforestation, to generate 406,684 t CO2e a year. A forestry programme focused on developing and utilising non-timber forest products will run from 2026-30 and aims to achieve annual savings of 60,769 t CO2e. The project seeks to manage forest resources and strengthen carbon sinks in Mali. An environmental programme aimed at restoring mining sites for biodiversity conservation will run under the Article 6.4 approach, between 2026-31. The programme is expected to generate annual emissions savings of 50,769 t CO2e. By Chloe Jardine Projects in Mali authorised under Article 6 Project type Start date End date Savings (t CO2e/yr) Credit generation years Estimated total savings Rural electrification 2016 2026 46,000 11 506,000 Solar energy for rural development 2026 2030 10,239 5 51,195 Hydropower and clean cooking pilot 2026 2031 1,352 6 8,112 Sustainable energy programme 2024 2027 179,008 4 716,032 Clean cooking promotion and dissemination 2026 2030 210,000 5 1,050,000 Clean cooking production and distribution 2026 na 150,000 na na Banco cookstoves — first project 2014 2035 101,700 22 2,237,400 Banco cookstoves — second project 2026 2041 179,008 16 2,864,128 Land restoration and reforestation 2026 2030 406,684 5 2,033,420 Non-timber forest products 2026 2030 60,769 5 303,845 Mining-site restoration for biodiversity 2026 2031 50,769 6 304,614 Total savings* 10,074,746 *Estimated total savings excluding the clean cooking production and dsitribution project which does not have a defined end date. Source: Mali government Initial Report, Argus calculations Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Ethanol gaining favour as European bunker fuel

27/10/26

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27/10/26

Ethanol gaining favour as European bunker fuel

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