Wedoany.com Report-May 8, Viva Energy, an Australian fuel supplier, has initiated the country’s first marine biofuel trial on a commercial cruise ship. The trial began on April 5, when the cruise ship Celebrity Edge, operated by Royal Caribbean Group, departed from Sydney using a B20 biofuel blend. The fuel, bunkered in Port Jackson, consists of 80% marine distillate and 20% B100 sourced primarily from Australian used cooking oil, certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC+).
Conducted in partnership with Polaris Marine, the trial aims to assess the performance and environmental benefits of marine biofuel within Viva Energy’s marine supply chain. The initiative supports efforts to reduce carbon emissions in Australia’s maritime sector, leveraging locally sourced materials to create a sustainable fuel option.
Richard Xin, Viva Energy’s General Manager Specialities, Marine & Defence, stated: “We are very pleased to conduct this trial with Royal Caribbean Group from our Sydney Harbour operations, a first-of-its-kind operation to deliver marine biofuel to a cruise ship in Australia. Viva Energy is committed to supporting our customers in reducing their carbon footprint by introducing new fuels and innovative supply chains. While the supply of biofuel is not new internationally, this trial is a crucial step towards establishing lower carbon marine fuels in Australia.”
Royal Caribbean Group has prior experience with biofuel. In early 2025, the company collaborated with Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical (CPN) to supply ISCC-EU certified B24 marine biofuel to its cruise ship Celebrity Solstice in Hong Kong. Additionally, in 2023, Royal Caribbean completed over 12 weeks of biofuel testing in Europe, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable maritime fuel solutions.
The trial in Sydney represents a significant milestone for Australia’s maritime industry, promoting the adoption of lower-carbon fuels. By integrating biofuel into its supply chain, Viva Energy aims to support environmental goals while maintaining operational efficiency for its partners. The collaboration with Royal Caribbean Group and Polaris Marine highlights the potential for innovative fuel solutions to drive sustainability in the cruise sector, contributing to broader efforts to reduce emissions and enhance Australia’s energy landscape.
