The fuel mixture was a combination of 20% used cooking oil, which met global ISCC certification, and 80% conventional heavy fuel oil.
Valiant Lady bunkered the fuel on Sept. 24 and completed testing and burning on Oct. 16.
Throughout this trial, the shipboard team analyzed the fuel and engine performance during bunkering, storing and burning to ensure it met lab requirements and operational expectations.
'Incredibly promising'
'Completing our first sustainable fuel trial is incredibly promising; this is a near-term solution for the shipping and cruising industry,' said Jill Stoneberg, senior director of social impact and sustainability for Virgin Voyages. 'Sustainable, bio-based fuels can work with our existing engines today, and we could transition to these cleaner fuels now if they were more readily available and affordable. We’re encouraging our cruising counterparts to ask for and test these fuels as stronger demand will ultimately help accelerate the market.'
Some other cruise lines are already doing so including, recently, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.
Like the rest of the industry, Virgin Voyages has pledged to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, which is also a requirement of the International Maritime Organization.
Preparing for FuelEU implementation
In 2025, ships will be required to start using more sustainable fuels for a portion of its fuel demand to comply with the FuelEU maritime regulation.
Virgin Voyages is preparing for this shift and exploring how sustainable fuel adoption will accelerate its decarbonization strategy in the near term. The company said it also continues to advocate for robust sustainability standards for waste-based biofuels, such as RSB.
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