In line with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) emission reduction targets for 2030 and 2050, Taiwan-based shipping company Wan Hai Lines has announced its decision to incorporate biofuels across its fleet. This marks a significant step in the company’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to global sustainability goals.

The first vessel to adopt biofuel is the WAN HAI 510, also known as Tai Chun, a 4,333 TEU containership currently operating on the CI6 route between the Far East and India. The ship has been refueled with B24 biofuel, a blend that includes used cooking oil methyl ester biodiesel (UCOME) and very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO). This fuel was supplied by KPI OceanConnect and certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC), ensuring its compliance with sustainability standards. The refueling took place in Singapore, setting the stage for Wan Hai Lines’ broader biofuel initiative.

By transitioning to biofuel, Wan Hai Lines aims to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 20% compared to the use of traditional VLSFO. The company recognizes the importance of this shift, viewing it as a crucial part of its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy. “The adoption of biofuel is a crucial step in our journey towards carbon reduction. We have a responsibility to seek more environmentally friendly solutions and further achieve the goal of ESG energy-saving and carbon reduction by using low-carbon fuels across our fleet,” Wan Hai Lines stated. This initiative highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainable shipping and its dedication to mitigating the environmental impacts of its operations.

Looking ahead, Wan Hai Lines is preparing to introduce additional energy-efficient measures and further reduce its carbon emissions. As part of its long-term strategy, the company has recently ordered four methanol dual-fuel containerships from HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, a subsidiary of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE). These new 8,700 TEU vessels, expected to be delivered by May 2027, will further enhance the company’s efforts to transition towards cleaner energy sources.

Wan Hai Lines’ adoption of biofuel and its investment in methanol-powered ships demonstrate the company’s proactive approach to environmental protection and its leadership in the maritime industry’s sustainability efforts. As the company continues to implement green technologies, it is poised to make significant contributions to global carbon reduction and sustainable development in the shipping sector.

Founded on February 24, 1965, Wan Hai Lines began as a raw log shipping company serving Taiwan, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Foreseeing the rise of containerization, the company acquired its first fully containerized vessel, the MV "Ming Chun," in July 1976, launching container shipping services between Taiwan and Japan. From that point, Wan Hai evolved into a fully containerized shipping company.