Prio to supply marine fuel with 15pc biodiesel content

Portuguese fuel retailer Prio said it plans to supply a green marine fuel with 15pc biodiesel content produced from residual raw materials at its biodiesel plant in Aveiro in Portugal.

The fuel, branded as Eco Bunkers, will be available in all Portuguese ports, especially in the northern and central part of the country, the firm said. But it has not disclosed when the new fuel will be available.

Eco Bunkers will reduce emissions by 18pc and cut fuel consumption by 5pc, according to Prio. It will not require any additional investment to adapt ship engines, the firm said.

Prio estimates that the maritime sector is responsible for around 3pc of the global CO2 emissions, making it more polluting than the aviation and the road transport sectors. And with more than 80pc of all goods transported by sea, "the environmental footprint could triple by 2050, if viable alternatives do not arise", the company said.

By Giulia Squadrin