Boskalis’ dredging vessel Willem van Oranje
After tests with ‘drop-in’ blends of light biofuel and marine gas oil, Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis) will now have a world first by having its dredging vessel Willem van Oranje operate on 100% bio-fuel oil. It is a key next key step in the ‘Boskalis on Bio’ program for the testing of sustainable bio-fuel oil.
The Willem van Oranje will operate on a sulphur-free sustainable residual fuel that consists wholly of used cooking oil and contains no fossil fuels. This allows a substantial carbon reduction of 90% thereby contributing to a reduction of Boskalis’ carbon footprint.
In 2015 Boskalis launched the ‘Boskalis on Bio’ pilot program in cooperation with engine manufacturer Wärtsilä and GoodFuels. With this program Boskalis aims to realize a substantial reduction in carbon emissions from both its vessels and its dry earthmoving equipment and trucks.
Since the launch of the program Boskalis has successfully used various biofuel blends on both dredging and offshore installation vessels and on dry earthmoving equipment as an alternative to fossil fuels. For example on the projects to create the Marker Wadden nature area and to install the export cable to the Borssele offshore wind farm, both in the Netherlands.
