Jeroen de Vos is the head of global operations and quality at Peninsula. Image Credit: Peninsula

Global marine fuel supplier and trading firm Peninsula has completed more than 450 biofuel deliveries worldwide, serving over 100 customers and helping avoid more than 150,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions in 2025.

In an article published on Wednesday, Jeroen de Vos, head of global operations and quality at Peninsula, said FAME-based biofuels, including blends containing UCOME, were becoming a more established option for marine fuel buyers.

Such fuels can help shipowners reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions without necessarily replacing existing engines.

However, their use requires careful fuel management, including checks on compatibility, tank preparation, water content and machinery performance.

A new checklist developed by the IBIA aims to help operators manage these challenges.

Submitted by IBIA, the Shipboard Biofuel Blend Checklist for FAME-based biofuels was issued as an annex to IMO document MEPC 85/INF.10.

The checklist covers fuel assessment, tank preparation, water management, bunkering, storage, fuel treatment and machinery monitoring. It builds on existing industry guidance, including CIMAC's 2024 guideline on marine fuels containing FAME.

De Vos said the industry had built up valuable technical knowledge and operational experience as biofuel use expanded, arguing that established guidance and standards should inform decisions about potential risks.

ISO 8217:2024, the international standard for marine fuel specifications, includes designated grades for distillate and residual biofuels. However, operators must still ensure that the fuel is suitable for their vessel, equipment and operating conditions.

De Vos is also vice chair of IBIA.