Indonesian Ship Owners Oppose B30 Biodiesel

Ship owners are opposed to increasing the biofuel blend in Indonesia to B30 citing higher operating costs and poor performance engine, The Jakarta Post reported.  This, as Indonesia began testing B30 biodiesel last month.  Dadan Kusdiana, head of research and development at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry was quoted as saying B30 tests will be conducted on various passenger vehicles and trucks over the next four months.  The ministry also planned to start testing B30 use in trains, ships and agricultural machinery. The River, Lake and Water Transportation Operators Association (Gapasdap) is against making B30 mandatory in 2020 when it had only focused on testing in automotive engines.  

Gapasdap secretary-general Aminuddin Rifai said the use of B20 had already had a negative impact on ship operations, and vessels registered under the association would suffer significant losses if they had to use B30.  “Compared to pure diesel fuel, B20 has a higher rate of viscosity, which results in the slowing of the combustion process in the engines and leaves more unburnt leftovers.  In addition, the lower calorie content and higher water content in B20 sped up the life expentancy of the nozzle injector and fuel injection pump of a ship engine.”  

The government began its biodiesel program in 2014 to reduce carbon emissions and reduce Indonesia’s dependence on fuel imports by introducing B10 biodiesel, a blend of 10% palm oil in regular diesel fuel, The Jakarta Post said.  The use B20 became mandatory in September 2018, while B30 will be mandatory in 2020.