Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 27, Brazilian mining company Vale and oil and gas leader Petrobras have partnered to test a biofuel blend containing 24% second-generation biodiesel on a Vale-chartered vessel. The trial, conducted on April 22, 2025, in Singapore, involved the bulk carrier Luise Oldendorff, chartered from Oldendorff Carriers, using very low sulfur (VLS) B24 fuel.

The B24 blend, developed by Petrobras Singapore, combines 76% fossil fuel oil from Petrobras refineries with 24% UCOME, a biofuel derived from used cooking oil sourced regionally. Certified under ISCC EU standards, the fuel meets stringent sustainability requirements across its supply chain, ensuring environmental responsibility.

Petrobras President Magda Chambriard stated: “We are developing increasingly sustainable fuels and honoring our commitment to decarbonize our activities. The partnership with Vale is another achievement of Petrobras’ goal of improving the company’s production capacity and logistics structure, to deliver greener products to the market.”

Vale CEO Gustavo Pimenta said: “Vale has a firm commitment to promote the decarbonization of its operations. In this context, our shipping area has evaluated several scenarios to reduce GHG emissions in maritime transport, which includes the development of multi-fuel solutions for new and existing ships that transport our products globally.”

The test is part of Vale’s broader initiative to trial alternative fuels on its chartered ships, supporting global maritime decarbonization in alignment with International Maritime Organization emission reduction goals. Vale aims to cut its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 33% by 2030 and reduce scope 3 emissions, including those from shipping, by 15% by 2035.

Petrobras is advancing its strategy to commercialize renewable-content bunkers, focusing on low-carbon markets and innovative solutions. The company’s 2025-2029 Business Plan allocates $16.3 billion for energy transition initiatives, including low-carbon energy projects, operational decarbonization, and research and development across its operations.

This collaboration strengthens Vale and Petrobras’ commitment to sustainable fuel development, enhancing their efforts to deliver environmentally friendly solutions while meeting the demands of the global energy and shipping sectors.