Italian energy company Eni SpA has said its biodiesel has been successfully tested on a cruise ship, showing it can be used in marine transport without any engine changes.
The company said trials carried out with MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company involved powering one of the engines of the cruise ship MSC Opera using Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for about 2,000 hours. The tests were conducted without modifying the engine, while performance and emissions were closely monitored, Rigzone reported.
According to Eni, the results showed that HVO can be used as a direct alternative to conventional marine fuel, delivering similar performance without requiring technical upgrades.
The company also reported lower emissions during the trial. Nitrogen oxide emissions were reduced by 16%, while particulate emissions also declined. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions were cut by around 80% compared to traditional fuels, mainly due to the use of fully renewable raw materials in producing HVO.
Technical data from the tests were analysed with support from Wärtsilä, the engine manufacturer, and independently verified by Bureau Veritas.
Eni produces HVO diesel through its biofuels unit Enilive at biorefineries located in Gela and Venice. The fuel is made mainly from waste materials such as used cooking oil, animal fats and agricultural residues.
The company said its marine HVO fuel has already been made available for vessels at ports including Genoa, Ravenna and Venice, where it can be supplied directly to ships.
