<article><p class="lead">Japanese LPG importer Astomos and domestic shipping firm Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) have plans to trial biofuel supply to a very large gas carrier (VLGC) in Singapore from this autumn, as part of the Singapore-based Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD)'s project.</p><p>The LPG carrier is chartered by Astomos and owned by NYK. The firms aim to fuel the vessel with a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters and conventional marine fuel. They have not decided whether they will try the next-generation fuel with the ship in ballast or while loading LPG. They plan to run the test for a year or a year and a half, but are currently unsure where they will direct the VLGC to from Singapore.</p><p>A total of 18 firms and organisations, including Astomos and NYK, will participate in <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2354511">GCMD's project</a>, with $18mn in investments. They are targeting decarbonisation of the entire biofuel supply chain for marine shipping by improving transparency in the supply chain and creating international standards.</p><p class="bylines">By Nanami Oki</p></article>
