Biofuels for Maritime Transportation: A Spatial, Techno-Economic, and Logistic Analysis in Brazil, Europe, South Africa, and the USA

Francielle Carvalho, Joana Portugal-Pereira, Martin Junginger and Alexandre Szklo
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Francielle Carvalho: Centro de Tecnologia, Energy Planning Program, Graduate School of Engineering, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-594, Brazil
Joana Portugal-Pereira: Centro de Tecnologia, Energy Planning Program, Graduate School of Engineering, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-594, Brazil
Martin Junginger: Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
Alexandre Szklo: Centro de Tecnologia, Energy Planning Program, Graduate School of Engineering, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-594, Brazil

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 16, 1-27

Abstract: Low or zero carbon fuels are crucial for maritime transportation decarbonization goals. This paper assesses potential localities for maritime biofuels (biobunkers) production in Brazil, Europe, South Africa, and United States considering geographical, logistic, and economic aspects. This assessment combines georeferenced and techno-economic analyses to identify suitable fuel production hotspots based on not only plant performance and costs but also on logistic integration and biomass seasonality. Five technology pathways were considered: Straight vegetable Oils (SVO), Hydrotreated Vegetable Oils (HVO), Fischer–Tropsch Biomass-to-liquids (FT-BTL), Alcohol oligomerization to middle distillates (ATD), and Hydrotreated Pyrolysis Oil (HDPO). Findings reveal that biomass concentration in Brazil makes it the region with highest biobunker potential, which are mostly close to coastal areas and surpasses regional demand. Although other regions registered more limited potentials, hotspots proximity to ports would enable fossil fuel replacements in these areas. For all cases, biobunker costs (USD 21–104/GJ) are higher than conventional marine fuels prices (USD 11–17/GJ). Only 15% of the hotspots’ carbon prices that would allow its competitiveness are lower than USD 100/tCO 2 . Alternatives to incentivize biobunker production would be, first, to establish mandatory fuel blends and second, to join forces with other sectors that would be benefited from the co-production of advanced biofuels.

Keywords: maritime biofuel; biomass residues; logistics; GIS; transport fuels; IMO (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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