German shipping company GEFO has bunkered biofuel for the first time, with its deep sea tanker Gioconda taking on B100 UCOME biodiesel made from used cooking oil on October 15.

The bunkering operation, conducted in Rotterdam with fuel supplier Finco Energies, marks GEFO's entry into biofuel usage as the company moves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its fleet and comply with sustainable shipping regulations.

GEFO said the Gioconda had become a pioneer within its fleet through the biofuel delivery and indicated that it expects to conduct more biofuel bunkering operations in the near future as part of its sustainability strategy.

"We would like to thank Finco Energies in Rotterdam for their excellent cooperation on this project and look forward to many more biofuel bunkers in the near future," the company commented.

Headquartered in Netherlands, Finco Energies is the parent company of biofuel bunker supplier GoodFuels, and carbon insetting specialist GoodShipping. GoodFuels carries out fuel deliveries in the Netherlands.

Hamburg-based GEFO operates a fleet of vessels involved in the transport of mineral oil, liquid gases and chemical liquids, whilst also running one of the world's oldest bunker trading businesses.

Built in 2018, the 7746 DWT Gioconda is a chemical tanker that sails under the flag of Cyprus. According to ship-tracking data, the vessel arrived in Rotterdam on October 14 and departed for Sweden the following morning.

B100 UCOME is a biodiesel produced entirely from used cooking oil methyl ester, representing a drop-in fuel that can be used without engine modifications.