Wed 29 Jan 2025, 20:19 GMT | Updated: Wed 29 Jan 2025, 20:21 GMT

Petrobras secures ISCC EU RED certification for B24 biofuel blend at Rio Grande


Blend consisting of 24% FAME is said to have been rigorously tested to meet international standards.


Terminal Aquaviário de Rio Grande (TERIG), operated by Transpetro.
VLS B24 has been introduced by Petrobras at the Terminal Aquaviário de Rio Grande (TERIG). The terminal (pictured), operated by Transpetro, is primarily involved in the transportation of petroleum products. Image credit: Transpetro

Petrobras has announced that it has received the ISCC EU RED certification for its new bunker fuel product, VLS B24, which is blended and commercialised at its TERIG terminal in the Port of Rio Grande, Brazil. This certification acknowledges the sustainable content within the fuel, marking a step towards greener maritime operations for the firm.

The VLS B24 product is composed of 76% mineral bunker oil and 24% biodiesel, specifically Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME). According to Petrobras, the biodiesel component complies with rigorous sustainability and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction criteria set forth by the European Renewable Energy Directive, thus validating its environmental credentials. The blend also meets the international specification ISO 8217:2024, aligning with the ISO-F-RF category.

Furthermore, Petrobras says its VLS B24 fuel adheres to the standards outlined in ANP Brazilian Resolution N° 920 of 2023, which are at least as stringent as the ASTM D6751 standard for biodiesel fuel blendstock (B100) used for middle distillate fuels. This would ensure that the fuel not only meets renewable energy requirements but also maintains high-quality performance for various maritime operations.

Designed to be a drop-in solution, VLS B24 can be utilised in the main engines of medium and large vessels, auxiliary power generation systems, emergency systems, and boilers without any operational restrictions. The product is said to have undergone extensive testing and approval processes to ensure it supports the maritime industry's decarbonisation efforts effectively.



Professor Lynn Loo, GCMD. Project CAPTURED secures EU ETS recognition and IMO support for onboard carbon capture pathway  

Two regulatory developments strengthen the commercial case for onboard carbon capture and storage at sea.

Vard 9 601 design render. Vard wins €220m contract to build methanol-ready vessels for Trinity House  

Norwegian shipbuilder Vard will replace two ageing Trinity House vessels with hybrid-powered successors.

Sunoco LP logo. Sunoco seeks bunker trader for 'front-line' role to expand marine fuels business  

Professional sought with at least two years' experience in bunker trading or marine fuels commercial sector.

Seaway vessel. Royal IHC delivers methanol-ready TSHD to Boskalis  

The 31,000-cbm Seaway is among the largest trailing suction hopper dredgers in the world.

Ocean Navigator vessel. LNG-powered MV Ocean Navigator completes sea trial ahead of August delivery  

Sallaum Lines ro-ro vessel due to enter commercial service next month.

EmissionLink logo. FuelEU surplus price drop could undermine fuel transition, warns EmissionLink  

Falling compliance costs may discourage real uptake of lower-carbon fuels, the company cautions.

Port of Hamburg. Port of Hamburg moves towards ammonia bunkering readiness with new safety framework  

Hamburg and MB Energy develop risk analysis and safety concept for ammonia ship-to-ship bunkering.

CMA CGM Pantheon naming ceremony. LNG-powered boxship CMA CGM Pantheon named in ceremony  

Vessel is sister ship to CMA CGM Notre Dame and will serve the Asia–Northern Europe trade lane.

Kota Ocean vessel. PIL hiring head of marine fuel procurement in Singapore  

Role requires at least 10 years’ experience in bunkering, shipping or energy sectors.

Arctic Tern and Hai Gang Zhi Yuan STS bunkering operation. EUKOR’s new car carrier completes first biomethanol bunkering at Shanghai on maiden voyage  

EUKOR, SIPG Energy and World Fuel deliver 2,800 tonnes of waste-derived biomethanol to the first Shaper Class vessel.