Bunker supplier Vitol has developed a new method to produce a version of VLSFO by co-processing cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) with crude oil at its 100,000 b/d refinery in Fujairah.

IMAGE: Harbour craft in front of an oil tanker in Fujairah. Port of Fujairah

Unlike traditional biofuel blending—where bio components are added after refining—this process integrates CNSL directly into the refining stream. CNSL has traditionally caused engine issues when blended into marine fuels, but co-processing results in a fuel that is chemically identical to conventional VLSFO. This means it maintains full energy content and requires no engine modifications, approvals, or special charterparty clauses, Vitol told ENGINE.

Vitol explained that a small amount of CNSL is processed alongside a large volume of crude oil, allowing the bio-component to pass through the distillation and cracking units like fossil feedstocks.

To accurately assign sustainability credentials, the company tracks the ratio of biogenic carbon to fossil carbon using ASTM D6866 test, a standard test that measures biobased content from renewable sources. Biogenic carbon refers to carbon present in biomass.

The final fuel meets ISO 8217 (RMG380) specifications—a standard ensuring marine fuel quality and safe engine performance.

"The co-processing is certified under the ISCC-EU scheme. This certification requires stringent criteria to be met including an annual audit of the refinery and regular checks on product specification," Vitol said.

It claims the product can reduce greenhouse gas intensity by more than 70% compared to conventional fossil-based fuels.

The product is already in production at Fujairah and will soon be available at other Vitol-operated sites, including ATB (Malaysia), Sarroch (Italy) and VPR (Netherlands), which are being considered for expanded supply.

By Tuhin Roy

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