The government\u2019s plan to implement B50 biodiesel starting 1 July 2026\nhas received support from the Central Board of the Indonesian National\nFerry, River, and Lake Transport Association (Gapasdap). The policy is\nseen as a strategic step to strengthen national energy security and\nreduce Indonesia\u2019s dependence on diesel imports.<\/p>\n
However, Gapasdap has cautioned that implementing B50 in the ferry\nsector requires a more comprehensive study, given the different\noperational characteristics of ships compared to land transport.<\/p>\n
Head of Business and Tariffs at DPP Gapasdap, Rakhmatika Ardianto,\nstated that ferries carry passengers and operate in dynamic water\nconditions, requiring continuous engine reliability. He explained that\nunder international maritime regulations, the International Maritime\nOrganization (IMO) stipulates that biofuel blends with a content above\n30 percent must meet stricter requirements.<\/p>\n
Referring to MEPC.1\/Circ.795\/Rev.9, biofuel blends up to 30 percent\nfollow the provisions of Regulation 18.3.1 of MARPOL Annex VI.\nMeanwhile, blends above 30 percent must comply with Regulation 18.3.2 of\nMARPOL Annex VI and can only be used if they do not alter critical NOx\nemission components or engine operating settings beyond approved\ntechnical specifications. If these conditions are not met, proof is\nrequired that the fuel does not cause the engine to exceed applicable\nNOx emission limits.<\/p>\n
Beyond regulatory aspects, Gapasdap highlighted research from the\nSepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Surabaya on biodiesel use\nin marine diesel engines. Based on research by Himmawan Aan Listyanto,\nthe use of B50 at full load triggers a 6.38 percent decrease in engine\npower compared to High Speed Diesel (HSD). At the same time, specific\nfuel oil consumption (SFOC) increases by around 6.8 percent at maximum\nengine speed. These findings indicate a potential decline in performance\nand an increase in fuel consumption with higher biodiesel content.<\/p>\n
Other ITS studies also noted that biodiesel has higher density, lower\ncalorific value, greater fuel consumption, and the potential to increase\nNOx emissions. For ferries, a lower calorific value means fuel\nconsumption could become more wasteful.<\/p>\n
Another concern is fuel stability during storage. Biodiesel is more\nsusceptible to degradation due to hydrolysis, oxidation, thermal\ndecomposition, and bacterial contamination. In one test, pure B50\nexperienced a 29.61 percent increase in acid number and a 2,900 percent\nincrease in bacterial colonies after six weeks of storage. This\ncondition could affect fuel quality in ship tanks, settling tanks,\nservice tanks, pipes, separators, and filters.<\/p>\n
Gapasdap also reminded that Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME), the\nmixing component in HSD, has solvent properties that can increase sludge\nformation and trigger fuel filter blockages, especially during the\ninitial usage phase. If the filter becomes clogged, the fuel supply to\nthe engine could be disrupted, causing weakened engine power or complete\nengine shutdown. The consequences for ships are far more serious than\nfor land vehicles. A loss of power at sea can result in a loss of\nmanoeuvrability, increasing the risk of collision, grounding, or other\nshipping accidents when facing strong currents, narrow channels, or when\napproaching a dock.<\/p>\n
From an operational perspective, the implementation of B50 is also\nexpected to increase costs through higher fuel consumption, more\nfrequent filter replacements, tank cleaning, separator adjustments,\nadditive usage, provision of additional spare parts, and increased\nmaintenance needs. These costs cannot be separated from safety\nstandards, as operators are still required to maintain engine\nreliability and service safety. This situation is further exacerbated by\nthe fact that current ferry tariffs do not yet reflect actual\noperational costs. Based on 2019 Cost of Goods Sold calculations,\ntariffs still lag behind real cost requirements by approximately 31.8\npercent. With the implementation of B50, the gap between tariffs and\ncosts is likely to widen further.<\/p>\n
Therefore, Gapasdap hopes that the government will not only promote\nthe use of B50 as part of the energy transition but also consider its\nimpact on the sustainability of ferry services through tariff\nadjustments. This step is crucial to ensure operators can continue to\nmeet safety and service quality standards as mandated by Law Number 17\nof 2008 on Shipping.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/towards-energy-security-b50-implementation-in-ships-must-consider-international-standards-1782831114", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }