Lloyds Register report shows FAME-based biofuel blends notably B30 is increasing

In the UK, global bunker fuel quality remained resilient in the first half of 2025 despite growing fuel diversity and tightening environmental regulation, according to Lloyds Register’s latest FOBAS Fuel Insight report. The findings highlight how improved testing, data sharing and operational practices are supporting shipowners as they adapt to cleaner blends and stricter sulphur limits. 

Analysis of fuels tested by LR’s Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) shows that the vast majority met specification and were fit for purpose – 3.5% of very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) fuel samples were off-spec, but only a small fraction of these were unusable. For example, 0.6% of VLSFO samples exceeded the 0.53% 95% confidence range of the 0.50%m.m MARPOL Annex VI limit. Sediment stability also showed varied performance at major ports, with certain ports facing continued problems while others providing much more stable fuel. Distillate fuels continued to demonstrate predictable behaviour, remaining the premium choice for operations requiring tighter quality control. 

Sustainability and fuel diversity are key trends in the H1 2025 findings. Uptake of FAME-based biofuel blends, notably B30 RF, is increasing across ports including Singapore, Algeciras and Antwerp. This is being driven by regulatory clarity from MEPC 83 and ISO 8217:2024, which confirmed that blends up to 30% are treated as conventional fuels, simplifying NOx compliance. FOBAS testing to date has found no systemic operational issues with these blends, with most quality considerations linked to the conventional fuel components. 

The report also notes a growing shift to direct calorific value measurement, using ASTM D240 Bomb Calorimetry, to more accurately account for the lower energy content of biofuel blends. Early adopters report more precise consumption forecasting, improved voyage planning and reduced cost variability.