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.



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.

Peninsula logo. Peninsula seeks bunker sales trader for Dubai office  

Firm says role would suit candidate with previous trading experience, ideally within the bunker sector or maritime industry.

Valencia waterfront. Glander International Bunkering seeks trader for Valencia office  

Marine fuels company is recruiting a sales-focused professional for its Spanish operations.

Kwan-Ho Song, Nikolas Vaporis and Joe Borg. Capital Ship Management, K Shipbuilding and LR launch wind-assisted propulsion project for MR tanker sector  

Joint development project will assess wind-assisted propulsion for 50,000-dwt product tankers.

Clare Urmston, Anemoi Marine Technologies. Bureau Veritas approvals extend classification society coverage for Anemoi Rotor Sail range  

Anemoi's full Rotor Sail portfolio is now approved by four major classification societies.

Proteus Supply and Trading and Propeller Fuels logo. Propeller Fuels and Proteus Supply and Trading form commercial partnership to expand Americas coverage  

US-based Proteus and UK-based Propeller Fuels unite operations across the Americas and beyond.

Kasif Kalkavan vessel. Turkon Line’s LNG-powered Kaşif Kalkavan makes maiden call at Marport  

Türkiye’s largest domestically built LNG-fuelled container ship has docked at Marport for the first time.

Vinoth Kumar, Flex Commodities. Flex Commodities appoints Vinoth Kumar as general accountant  

Dubai-based bunker trader strengthens finance team with new accounting hire.

Kota Elok vessel. PIL's first LNG dual-fuel boxship receives cybersecurity certification on Singapore maiden call  

Pacific International Lines' 13,000-teu vessel Kota Elok becomes the first PIL ship certified to IACS cyber-resilience standards.