A new checklist designed to help shipowners and crews manage the operational risks of FAME-based biofuel blends has been formally issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as the use of biofuels in shipping continues to expand.
As biofuel blends move from trials towards wider use onboard, shipowners and crews are getting a new practical tool to help manage the risks that can emerge when bunkering and consuming FAME-based fuels. The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has issued its Shipboard Biofuel Blend Checklist for FAME-based biofuels as an annex to IMO document MEPC 85/INF.10, bringing the guidance into the IMO’s formal documentation.
Developed by IBIA’s Technical Working Group as part of the ongoing update of the IBIA/BIMCO Shipmaster’s Bunkering Manual, the checklist is designed to help vessel operators navigate the practical challenges associated with biofuel blends, particularly when a ship is using them for the first time.
From bunkering to machinery performance
The checklist covers the key stages of managing FAME-based biofuels onboard, including fuel assessment, compatibility checks, tank preparation, water management, bunkering operations, storage and machinery performance monitoring.
IBIA noted that the growing use of biofuel blends can bring different or additional operational risks, particularly for operators with limited experience handling the fuels. These risks can be mitigated through robust fuel-management practices before delivery and throughout the fuel’s use onboard.
According to GCMD, as marine biofuel use grows, verifying what is actually delivered will become increasingly important. FAME and HVO can be introduced into existing marine fuel systems with relatively few modifications, but the renewable content that underpins their green premium and GHG claims is often based on supplier-declared blend ratios.
The checklist is based on CIMAC Guideline 04|2024, Marine fuels containing FAME: A guideline for shipowners & operators, and is intended to serve as a practical reference for crews and operators.
A focus on first-time biofuel users
The guidance is particularly relevant as more vessels begin testing or adopting biofuel blends. For operators preparing for their first FAME-based biofuel bunkering, the checklist provides a structured framework for assessing the fuel, preparing tanks and managing the fuel once onboard.
However, IBIA stresses that the checklist applies specifically to FAME-based biofuels. For other bio-based products, operators should seek input from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and the ship’s Recognized Organization (RO) to establish whether the product is accepted and suitable for the vessel and its equipment.
The publication of the checklist as an IMO information document comes as the shipping industry continues to examine biofuels alongside other alternative fuel pathways in its efforts to reduce emissions.
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