From Residues to Ready Fuel
Shipping now consumes around three hundred million tonnes of bunker fuel each year. Honeywell is proposing a cleaner substitute produced from forestry trimmings, agricultural residues and other cellulosic feedstocks. Its Biocrude Upgrading process converts these materials into a stable oil that conventional refineries can transform into heavy marine fuel without changing existing equipment.
How the Technology Works
The system uses rapid thermochemical conversion followed by a catalytic polishing step that lowers oxygen content and raises energy density. This upgraded biocrude has similar viscosity and combustion characteristics to very low sulphur fuel oil, making it compatible with current engines and storage tanks. Because the technology can be integrated into existing refineries, capital requirements remain modest compared with building new standalone plants.
Practical Advantages for Shipowners
Over eighty percent lifecycle carbon reduction depending on feedstock selection
- Higher volumetric energy than many first-generation biofuels, extending vessel range
- Drop in compatibility removes the need for costly fuel system overhauls
- Potential use of on-board scrubbers remains unchanged, simplifying regulatory compliance
Market Outlook
A recent study by the Energy Transitions Commission estimates that demand for sustainable marine fuels could exceed five million tonnes annually by 2030. If only ten medium size refineries adopted the Honeywell pathway, that target could already be met using regional biomass that currently lacks high value markets.
A Non-Obvious Insight
Unlike some alternative fuels that require complex new supply infrastructure, upgraded biocrude can move through the same pipelines, terminals and barges already serving ports today. This hidden logistical fit dramatically shortens deployment timelines because stakeholders can focus on fuel production rather than network construction.
Conclusion
Honeywell has demonstrated that renewable marine fuel is no longer a distant prospect. By unlocking the untapped value of abundant biomass and designing a process that slots into established refinery assets, the company creates a practical pathway to lower maritime emissions at scale. The approach complements parallel developments in methanol, LNG and ammonia, collectively guiding the industry toward its climate ambitions.