The initiative is an important element of Virgin Voyages ' sustainability program and its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Valiant Lady, manufactured by the Barcelona-based company, was refueled on September 24th and completed its testing and operation on October 16th. Throughout the trial, the team analyzed the fuel and engine performance, storage, and combustion, ensuring it met laboratory requirements and operational expectations.
The fuel mixture consisted of 20% used cooking oil, which met the ISCC global certification, and 80% conventional heavy fuel oil.
Jill Stoneberg, Director of Social Impact and Sustainability at Virgin Voyages, says: “There are more and more blended fuel options available. We were particularly interested in testing the performance of sustainable fuel blended with heavy fuel oil. The latter makes up a significant part of the industry’s fuel demand and is therefore one of the biggest opportunities for transitioning to lower-carbon fuel solutions.”
In addition to its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, Virgin Voyages champions ocean health by promoting sustainable behavior among its passengers and advocating for responsible tourism. The company has eliminated unnecessary single-use plastics, emphasized the sustainable sourcing of goods and food products, and participates in social impact initiatives such as supporting mangrove reforestation in the Caribbean.
“Completing our first sustainable fuel trial is incredibly promising; it’s a near-term solution for the marine and cruise ship industry,” said Stoneberg. “Sustainable biofuels can run on our current engines today, and we could transition to these cleaner fuels if they were more readily available and affordable. We’re encouraging our cruise ship counterparts to order and test these fuels, as increased demand will ultimately help accelerate the market.”
By 2025, the maritime industry will be required to incorporate more sustainable fuels into a portion of its fuel demand to align with the European Union's FuelEU maritime regulations. Virgin Voyages is preparing for this transition by researching how adopting sustainable fuels will accelerate its short-term decarbonization strategy. Furthermore, the company continues to advocate for sustainability standards for waste-based biofuels, such as Waste Separated Fuel (RSB).
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