Bio-based marine fuels for the energy system of the future

The maritime sector is essential for global trade but remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, resulting in significant greenhouse‑gas emissions. Despite increasingly ambitious climate targets from the EU and the IMO, there is still a lack of technically and economically viable solutions that can rapidly reduce emissions from the existing fleet. This project addresses this challenge by developing bio‑based drop‑in marine fuels that can replace or be blended with conventional marine fuels without requiring major modifications to engines or fuel infrastructure.

The project will be implemented through experimental upgrading of pyrolysis oils produced from Swedish and Scandinavian biomass residues. Two main production routes are investigated: fast pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis, followed by upgrading through slurry‑phase hydrotreatment and fixed‑bed hydroprocessing. The purpose of these methods is to reduce oxygen content, improve fuel stability, and achieve properties that comply with current marine fuel standards. Experimental results are integrated with techno‑economic analysis and life‑cycle assessment to evaluate cost efficiency, climate performance, and scalability at system level.

The project is expected to deliver validated production pathways for sustainable marine biofuels and robust decision‑support data for industrial scale‑up. The results will be directly applicable for fuel producers, technology developers, shipping companies, and policymakers, supporting the transition towards a climate‑neutral, resilient, and fossil‑independent maritime sector.

Photo: Matt Hardy, Unsplash