# Regulatory requirements for biofuels

**URL:** <https://www.queseas.com/t/regulatory-requirements-for-biofuels/724>\
**Category:** Alternative Fuels\
**Tags:** biodiesel, biofuels\
**Created:** [April 19, 2023, 8:36am UTC](https://www.queseas.com/t/regulatory-requirements-for-biofuels/724 "2023-04-19T08:36:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Satyajit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/0ea827/32.png) [@Satyajit](https://www.queseas.com/u/Satyajit)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 8:36am UTC](https://www.queseas.com/t/regulatory-requirements-for-biofuels/724/1 "2023-04-19T08:36:00Z")

</div>

Hello!  
What are the regulatory requirements with respect to the use of biofuels?  
Are extra NOx measurements required?  
Do Flag and Class have to be notified by the operator?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Stela.Spiraj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@Stela.Spiraj](https://www.queseas.com/u/Stela.Spiraj)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 10:03pm UTC](https://www.queseas.com/t/regulatory-requirements-for-biofuels/724/2 "2023-04-19T22:03:56Z")

</div>

Hello Satyajit,

MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 18 classifies fuel oils into two categories:

1. Regulation 18.3.1.1 - blends of hydrocarbons from petroleum refining
2. Regulation 18.3.2 - fuel oil derived by methods other than petroleum refining

Biofuels can be classified under either category because they can be a mixture of bioderived products with conventional petroleum-derived sources or solely bioderived.

The Unified Interpretation (UI) on the application of biofuels to marine engines (MEPC.1/Circ.795) interprets regulation 18.3 of MARPOL Annex VI as:

1. Blend less than 30% biofuel, which should meet the requirements of regulation 18.3.1
2. Blend of more than 30% biofuel, should meet the requirements of regulation 18.3.2

Generally, for blends between 7-30% biofuel, NOx re-measurements are not required. However, a confirmation from the OEM on the capability of the engines to burn the proposed biofuels and a no-objection confirmation letter is required. For blends with more than 30% of biofuel, NOx re-measurement might be necessary depending on whether the biofuel can be burnt without changes to the NOx critical components or settings.

For more than 30% biofuel, the Flag Administration should be contacted to check the application under the regulations of MARPOL Annex VI and ask for further guidance.

Also, for the class, a risk assessment should be conducted showing that risk control measures are in place in case of engine failure or fuel-related issues.

In any case, an implementation plan for the use of biofuels and change-over requirements in their Safety Management System and crew familiarization is required.

[mepc1circ795rev7.pdf](https://www.queseas.com/uploads/short-url/9A8JkMGVWKU2a1pScGFYVoQdsFI.pdf) (208.0 KB)