Organda Ready to Adapt to B50 Implementation, Urges Guaranteed Diesel Supply

The Indonesian Land Transport Organisation (Organda) has stated it will immediately make adjustments for the implementation of B50 biodiesel in public transport fleets under its umbrella, while urging the government to ensure diesel availability so that national transport operations continue to run smoothly. Chairman of the Central Executive Board (DPP) of Organda, Adrianto Djokosoetono, said the implementation of B50 is no longer a question of readiness, but rather how business operators can adapt through various operational adjustments. “So, when talking about the B50 issue, it is not a matter of being ready or not, we definitely have to adjust, that is one thing. With various operational techniques, we have enough experience from the old days,” Adrianto said when confirmed in Jakarta on Wednesday. He explained that the transport fleets currently operating were not specifically designed to use B50 biodiesel fuel, so a gradual adjustment process in the field is required. “The vehicles were not prepared for B50. But we will adjust,” he said. Despite continuously adapting to the national energy policy, Organda stressed that its main focus now is ensuring diesel supply is evenly available at all public fuel stations (SPBU) so that services to the public are not disrupted. “Regarding B50, we are more focused on ensuring the diesel is there. In every meeting, we always ask and plead for diesel to be available at every SPBU at all times. That is more important than the price, more important than B50 or an even higher blend later,” he asserted. Adrianto said the certainty of diesel distribution is the most decisive factor for smooth transport operations, compared to price issues or the increase in the biodiesel blend. He added that Organda has consistently conveyed to the government in various forums that a guarantee of diesel availability in all regions is the primary requirement for maintaining the continuity of transport services. According to him, supply constraints are still found in various regions, such as Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua, Bali, and several other areas. Therefore, Organda hopes the implementation of B50 can proceed in tandem with the strengthening of fuel distribution so that transport services to the public remain optimal. “Because we are not sidelining the technical consequences of operations, we will adjust. We will adjust. The point is just that. But if there is no diesel, we cannot do anything,” he said. Meanwhile, Secretary General of DPP Organda, Kurnia Lesani Adnan, said the implementation of B50 biodiesel does require a number of technical adjustments because it is not yet fully compatible with Euro vehicle standards. He explained that the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content in biodiesel in other countries generally ranges around 12.5 percent, whereas Indonesia is implementing a blend of up to 50 percent through the B50 programme. According to him, the use of B50 has the potential to cause technical challenges in vehicles using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology or AdBlue, including sludge build-up and blockages in the vehicle’s silencer system. These conditions, he continued, mean business operators must adjust operational patterns, including shortening the lifespan of diesel filters, which increases fleet maintenance costs. Kurnia said Organda has conveyed various inputs regarding these technical challenges to the government since the implementation of B20, B30, B40, up to the mandatory enforcement of B50 starting on 1 July. Despite facing a number of technical adjustments, Organda affirmed its continued support for the implementation of B50 as part of the national energy policy. The organisation hopes the government will continue to ensure the sustainable supply of diesel throughout Indonesia so that the transition process towards higher biodiesel usage can proceed smoothly without disrupting transport services to the public.