A Process Full of Firsts from R&D to Refueling
Seckin Gul, General Manager of Arkas Bunker, said, “As Arkas Bunker, we have been working for many years on solutions that comply with international regulations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vessels. Since the main source of these emissions is the fuel they use, we have focused heavily on sustainable marine fuels. About three years ago, we started research and development on bio-components by taking a closer look at biofuels. In February, we achieved our goal for 2024 by obtaining the ISCC certification, becoming Türkiye’s first ISCC-certified maritime company. Now, we are marking another first in Türkiye’s marine fuel industry. Our ISCC-certified product, ‘Bio24F,’ will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vessels, making it much easier for shipowners to achieve their sustainability goals. As Arkas, we continue to develop new products with our expert technical team, using our experience as the owner and operator of Türkiye’s largest container vessel fleet.”
Arkas Line: The First Company to Use Biofuel in the Turkish Maritime Sector
Arkas Line CEO Can Atalay said, “At Arkas Line, we have fully adopted sustainability principles across every aspect of our business. Thanks to the efforts we began long ago to not only meet but exceed global industry regulations, we have become one of the most preferred companies in maritime transport. On this journey, we have always believed that change should start with ourselves, and today, we are proud to achieve another first in Türkiye. Türkiye’s first biofuel, Bio24F, was supplied by Arkas Bunker to an Arkas Line vessel for the first time. Our trials have shown that we can reduce carbon emissions without needing any modifications to our vessel’s fuel system. This will help us comply with regulations and bring us closer to our sustainability goals.”
About Türkiye’s First Biofuel, Bio24F:
Bio24F represents a strategic advancement in marine fuel technology. It is made by blending 24% ISCC-certified used cooking oil (UCO) with 76% very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO).
The UCO component of the biofuel is derived from processing used cooking oil collected from restaurants and food facilities. The bio-component in Bio24F is valuable because it can significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to conventional marine fuels.
The fuel oil used in Bio24F is a refined petroleum product that meets International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations. It has a lower sulfur content than traditional high-sulfur fuels, which helps reduce sulfur oxide emissions. Biofuels, which can be blended with fossil fuels and are made from biological sources, aim to play a significant role in reducing emissions from vessels.
