The inland barge Birjo II is operating on 100% biodiesel (B100) following conversion from fossil-fuel operation, according to Dutch biodiesel producer Sunoil.

The vessel, operated by BFT Tanker Logistics, is transporting biodiesel between Sunoil’s locations and customers using B100 produced in the Netherlands by Sunoil, putting the fuel to work in day-to-day inland shipping operations.

B100, or pure biodiesel, presents certain operational considerations compared with conventional marine diesel, particularly around fuel filter management, but early operational results have been described as positive. Johann de Koning, general manager at BFT Tanker Logistics, commented: “So far, everything is running quite well. The filter system is being monitored closely and, at this stage, the results are better than we had anticipated.”

Jeroen Hovius, chief commercial officer at Sunoil, remarked: “This milestone marks an important next step for Sunoil and BFT. The barge is now successfully running on our own Dutch-produced Sunoil B100 while transporting biodiesel between our locations and customers, putting renewable fuel into practice in day-to-day inland shipping operations.”

Sunoil Biodiesel is a Dutch biofuels company that converts certified waste oils and fats — especially used cooking oil — into high-grade, waste-based biodiesel. It operates production and logistics facilities in Emmen and Kampen, supported by trading operations in Amsterdam, and supplies low-carbon fuel to customers across the Netherlands, wider Europe, Scandinavia and the UK. Its business combines feedstock sourcing, biodiesel production, trading and distribution, positioning its products as a lower-emissions substitute or blend component for fossil diesel.