In Norway, the shipping industry’s push for net-zero emissions by 2050 is driving interest in biofuels, but high costs and limited supply remain major barriers, according to DNV’s recently released Energy-Efficiency Measures and Technologies report.
The report identifies biofuels as a key compliance tool under FuelEU Maritime, which took effect in January 2025. The regulation, which evaluates emissions from a well-to-wake perspective, allows ships to meet emissions targets through blending biofuels or joining compliance pools with lower-emission vessels.
Biofuel adoption has grown, with over 1.6 million tonnes bunkered in Rotterdam and Singapore in 2024, up from 300,000 tonnes in 2021. The report finds that B30 biofuel blends could eliminate FuelEU penalties with minimal disruption, though compliance from 2035 onward will require higher blends and increased supply.
DNV estimates that energy efficiency could reduce fuel consumption by 16%, cutting emissions equivalent to 55,000 smaller vessels or 2,500 of the largest ships. The report warns that the cost of B100 biofuel blends could significantly rise after 2045, making alternative low-GHG fuels a more stable long-term solution.
With regulatory pressure increasing, DNV emphasizes the need for greater collaboration between shipowners, suppliers, and policymakers to scale up biofuel production and stabilize costs.
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Tags: biofuel, DNV, Norway
Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
