Ro-ro shipping line United European Car Carriers (UECC) is collaborating with maritime advisory Lloyd’s Register FOBAS, engine manufacturer Wärtsilä, and biofuel supplier ACT Group to advance studies into cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL)-based biofuel.
As part of this partnership, ACT Group created a CNSL-based biofuel known as FSI.100.
The joint efforts between UECC, LR FOBAS, Wärtsilä, and ACT Group resulted in structured and phased processes that include extensive engine test bench trials and analytical assessments to evaluate the suitability of CNSL-based FSI.100 blends in both residual and distillate fuel oils for marine applications.
Following thorough testing on various blend combinations FSI.100 received approval from engine manufacturers as a 30 percent blend component in an ISO 8217 DMA grade distillate fuel oil and was cleared by OEM, class and flag administrations to carry out sea trials.
According to UECC, FSI.100 offers a number of advantages: a certified sustainable, fully controlled supply chain that ensures traceability and accountability from the point of origin to extraction, conversion, and consumption. This approach enhances confidence in CNSL-derived marine fuels, reduces waste, and promotes resource efficiency, aligning with circular economy principles in the maritime sector.
Additionally, FSI.100 utilises sustainable land use practices and exhibits high-quality maritime fuel properties, such as ultra-low sulphur and winter spec pour points. It also delivers significant greenhouse gas savings, with well-to-wake emissions reductions of 90 percent compared to conventional maritime fuels, UECC added.
