The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) has published a report on the first field validation of tracer technologies in maritime biofuel supply chains to combat fraud. Conducted in Singapore, Rotterdam, and other major bunkering hubs, the trials demonstrated that tracers can be integrated into existing maritime biofuel supply chain practices without disrupting operations or compromising fuel quality.
The trials evaluated three distinct tracer candidates and found that the organic tracer is the most practical solution for tracking the authenticity and quantity of biofuels, offering an optimal balance of cost, detectability, and scalability.
The tests form a key part of GCMD’s initiative to develop a comprehensive assurance framework for delivered green fuels. The initiative aims to provide quality, quantity, and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction assurances to address adoption barriers for biofuels. Across the six trials, a total of 10,400 tonnes of biofuel blends were bunkered, and a collective 24% reduction in GHG emissions was achieved compared to using conventional fuels.
Current sustainability certification schemes, such as the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), play an important role in verifying biofuels’ reduction emissions and compliance with regulatory mandates. However, these schemes lack physical, field-level verification, leaving biofuel supply chains vulnerable to adulteration, and their emissions reduction claims open to double counting to support false subsidy claims.
Recent high-profile fraud cases have underscored the need for standardized, verifiable field methods to bolster the certified sustainability claims of these biofuels.
Professor Lynn Loo, CEO of GCMD, said: «By generating evidence-based data through comprehensive trials to combat fraud, we are fostering trust for the widespread adoption of biofuels».
Starting with the Informa group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine, as well as East Asia editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia editor for Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for the Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times, and the International Herald Tribune.
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