Eni, a leading global energy company, has partnered with classification society RINA to engage in green-fuel initiatives, specifically focusing on the maritime bunkering market. Both companies are committed to advancing energy transition through sustainable solutions.
Exploring Sustainable Biofuel Solutions
The collaboration centers around Eni’s hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) biofuel, produced at Venice and Gela bio-refineries. Derived from feedstocks that do not compete with food and feed crops, the HVO biofuel contains waste and agricultural residues. Eni currently supplies HVO-based diesel for heavy transport and bio-jet fuel (sustainable aviation fuel) for aircraft. Eni aims to have four million tonnes of production capacity by the middle of the decade, which could account for one percent of the maritime bunkering demand reserved solely for this user group.
Enhancing Sustainability Through Eco-friendly Innovation
The viability of HVO biofuel depends on sustainable feedstock, a concern that Eni is addressing through eco-friendly advancements. The company phased out palm oil consumption in October and is now focusing on importing castor bean and cotton oils from its Kenyan operations. Eni anticipates a rapid scaling up of sustainable oil production to 20,000 tons by 2023, aiming to establish a vertically-integrated supply chain of 700,000 tonnes of waste oil and non-edible oil per year by 2026. The successful results in Kenya are replicated across other African countries and beyond.
In Pursuit of Decarbonization
Ugo Salerno, RINA’s Chairman, and CEO, emphasizes the importance of cooperation between companies in achieving decarbonization across industry and transport. RINA and Eni are dedicated to developing innovative energy supply models beginning with the maritime sector, an industry known for its diverse and hard-to-abate operations. The partnership draws on the initiatives already in place within other industrial segments.
Broadening the Scope for Sustainable Marine Fuels
In addition to biofuel production, the Eni-RINA partnership is set to explore future marine fuel alternatives like blue and green hydrogen and ammonia. The collaboration will also cover the logistics and distribution of new energy carriers and adopt methods for calculating emissions benefits. Giuseppe Ricci, Eni’s Chief Operating Officer for Energy Evolution, highlights the company’s technology-agnostic approach to exploring multiple solutions.
Eni and RINA may also delve into onboard carbon capture through experimental and pilot projects, demonstrating a strong commitment to discovering and implementing sustainable solutions to ensure a greener future for the maritime sector and beyond.
