Ultrabulk has completed its first transatlantic biomass shipment using B100 biofuel, in what both the shipping company and Drax describe as a significant step toward decarbonising supply chains.
The voyage was carried out by the handymax carrier Ultra Yorkshire, which transported 29,000 tonnes of biomass pellets from Baton Rouge in the United States to the Port of Liverpool, marking its first UK port call. From there, the cargo is to be moved by rail to Drax Power Station.
The shipment follows the signing of a new contract between Drax and Ultrabulk, running until 2031, which includes a year-on-year commitment to reduce sea freight carbon emissions.
According to Drax Group, using B100 biofuel for the voyage reduced CO2 emissions by around 90% compared with conventional marine fuels.
The decarbonisation effort does not stop at sea. Drax has also signed agreements for GB Railfreight and DB Cargo trains serving the power station to operate on hydro-treated vegetable oil, or HVO.
The company has set a net-zero target for 2040 that also includes its wider supply chain and transportation emissions.
Mark Gibbens, head of logistics at Drax Group, said the new contract with Ultrabulk demonstrates that the company is taking concrete action to decarbonise its supply chain. He said Drax is proud that Ultra Yorkshire completed the Baton Rouge–Liverpool journey using biofuel to significantly reduce its environmental impact.
Hans-Christian Olesen, CEO of Ultrabulk, said the company was proud that Drax had chosen to continue the relationship, noting that Drax has consistently positioned itself at the forefront of environmental transition. He added that the first B100 transatlantic biomass transport carried out by Ultra Yorkshire is a strong example of the companies’ shared efforts to transform supply chains.
