French transport group Sogestran has reported a 78% reduction in CO2 emissions from its fuel supply vessel Anatife after switching to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) for operations serving two French islands.

The 41-metre double-hull tanker, which supplies Belle-Île-en-Mer and Île d'Yeu with fuel, has been running on HVO since early 2024. The biofuel is produced from used cooking oil and saved 100 tonnes of CO2 over the full year compared to 2023, according to Sogestran.

The vessel is owned by the Brittany and Pays de la Loire regions through the joint public transport syndicate for island fuel supply (SMTH) and operated by Compagnie Fluviale de Transport (CFT), a Sogestran subsidiary, under a public service delegation contract.

The SMTH has a budget of €420,000 for 2025, equally funded by both regions. The use of HVO led to an additional cost of €35,000 for the two regions in 2024.

Anatife can carry 310 cbm of fuel and transports 5,000 cbm annually to the two islands. The vessel is equipped with multiple tanks, enabling it to transport different fuel types — unleaded 95, automotive diesel, fishing diesel, and domestic heating oil — in a single crossing.

Sogestran Group has been testing HVO on two vessels operating on the Seine since 2022: Sandre and Oural. The company claims HVO offers up to 90% lower CO2 emissions compared to conventional diesel engines while remaining compatible with existing vessels and engines without requiring major modifications.

Frédérick Thoumelin, manager of CFT CLT, said: "HVO is one of the solutions for decarbonising maritime and inland waterway transport. Unfortunately, it is more expensive than conventional diesel, which is why it is not yet widely used. Thanks to the strong commitment of our partners — such as the Brittany and Pays de la Loire Regions — we are starting to see change. And that's essential!"

The Anatife operates with a six-member crew comprising two captains, two engineers, and two deckhand-pump operators. The vessel supplies fuel for fishermen's vessels, individuals' cars, home heating and farmers' tractors.

HVO's technical properties are similar to those of fossil diesel, allowing it to be used with existing engines without requiring substantial modifications, according to Sogestran.

The French group operates across maritime and inland waterway transport, logistics, and energy sectors. Its subsidiaries include CFT for river transport and LNG Shipping for liquefied natural gas operations.