Tata Steel became the first Indian steel company to undertake a fully loaded voyage from East Coast of Australia to India. The cape vessel “MV Cape XL” departed from Gladstone port after loading 1,48,500 metric tons of coal on April 17, and arrived at Kalinga International Coal Terminal Paradip Private Ltd. (KICTPPL) port on May 8, said the company in a press release.
The voyage has set a new benchmark for sustainable shipping practices in India and marks a new milestone in the country’s maritime sector. The vessel was powered by a B24 biofuel blend with Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO).
The B24 blend, the current benchmark grade for marine biofuel, combines 24% used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME) with 76% VLSFO.
During its laden leg from Gladstone to Paradip, MV Cape XL used biofuel which was loaded from its ballast port in Guangzhou, China. Carbon emission for this laden leg voyage was approximately 565 tons less, which is 20% less as compared to a traditional cape vessel using VLSFO, aligning with the Company’s Scope 3 reduction targets.
“Through the use of biofuel in its maritime operations, Tata Steel not only reiterates its commitment to reducing carbon emissions but also sets a new standard for sustainability in the industry. By choosing a biofuel blend for our voyage from Australia to India, we were able to cut carbon emissions by 20% contributing significantly to our scope 3 reduction targets,” said Peeyush Gupta, Vice President, TQM, Group Strategic Procurement and Supply Chain, Tata Steel.
“We endeavour to undertake more such shipments for imports through alternate fuel-powered vessels, and continue to align ourselves with global efforts towards climate change,” Gupta added.