BC Ferries Introduces Biodiesel To It's Fleet

BC Ferries Now Burns B5 Fuel Blend

VICTORIA – BC Ferries is pleased to announce that the fleet is now using 5 per cent, or B5 biodiesel to fuel its vessels, making the company one of the largest consumers of biodiesel in British Columbia.
 
BC Ferries is now burning a B5 fuel blend in all service areas where the product is available. Thirty-one out of thirty-six ships are using the cleaner-burning fuel. BC Ferries worked with its fuel supplier, Chevron, for over a year before implementing the new product in order to ensure that the safety and reliability of the vessels would not be compromised. The Queen of Alberni, which operates on the Tsawwassen – Duke Point route, was the first vessel to trial B5 biodiesel in September 2009.
 
“BC Ferries is a leader in the use of ultra low sulphur fuel to reduce emissions,” said Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ Vice President of Engineering and Terminal Construction. “Adopting biofuel helps us further reduce our fleet emissions.” B5 fuel blend is a mix of 5 per cent canola-based biodiesel with 95 per cent low sulphur petroleum diesel. Biodiesel burns cleaner with significantly less unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter in emissions.


Editor's Comment: Does this fuel cost the same per km sailed? Does it save money? What is the actual improvement from an emissions standpoint based on the amount of biodiesel they use? Are there any negative long term maintenance issues with this fuel?