Alfa Laval to test first biofuel batches produced by DFDS investee

The latest biofuel batches produced by start-up company MASH Energy ApS, an investee of European ferry operator DFDS, will be tested by Finnish company Alfa Laval at their test-centre in Aalborg, says DFDS.

The testing will be done to minimise the operational risk involved in implementing the new generation of biofuel.

“We have joint interests in making sure that the new generation of CO2-neutral fuels become available to the industry as fast as possible,” says Lars Bo Andersen, Department Head, Alfa Laval.

“We work a lot with seafarers, and it is a pleasure to assist by making the initial tests here at our test-centre.

“Only when the shoreside tests have been completed to satisfaction, will we move on to onboard tests, where the focus will be to evaluate the long-term effect of the MASH biofuel.”

DFDS in late April bought a stake in MASH Energy, which produces biofuel from agricultural waste.

Oil is now being produced with a reactor in India built by MASH and the company is working on the next challenge, scaling, in order to produce enough oil to make it feasible for ship engines.

DFDS is also in dialogue with its seafarers about their concerns and how to use the fuel on Pearl Seaways, where the biofuel will be tested in operation.

Concerns include issues of the biofuel’s low viscosity making it difficult to switch from low sulphur fuels, and if the biofuel will have adverse long-term effects on machinery equipment.

Related: DFDS invests $1.5 million for biofuel bunkers from MASH Energy

Photo credit: DFDS
Published: 3 December, 2019