Argent Energy is becoming a sustainable marine fuel supplier for Virgin Voyages.
The Newarthill-based manufacturer of waste-based biofuels is aiming to help Richard Branson's new cruise line achieve significant greenhouse gas savings.
Argent produces biodiesel made from waste organic fats and oils, with plants in Scotland, England and the Netherlands.
Delivering around a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions, it can be blended into marine fuel to be a drop-in replacement for straight fossil fuel.
The fuel destined to power Virgin Voyages will use only feedstocks certified as wastes under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) scheme and will undergo third party review to align with Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) standards.
“In order to significantly reduce our carbon footprint further, we must transition to lower-carbon fuel sources as soon as possible,” stated Tom McAlpin, chief executive of Virgin Voyages. ”We could do this today with our existing engines if more sustainable ‘drop-in’ fuels were available in our ports of call.
”Unfortunately, these fuels are not yet widely available, and in most cases, are not cost competitive, so we want to work with partners to pioneer for the essential change.”
Erik Rietkerk, chief executive of Argent Energy, said: “Decarbonisation of the marine sector is an oceanic task and Virgin Voyages’ decision to use Argent Energy as a supplier of sustainable marine fuels demonstrates the importance of waste-based biodiesel as a key strategy in that task”.
Argent Energy is part of Swire, a global group with over 150 years’ experience in the marine industry. The company was originally located in Motherwell, after the first plant was built there in 2005.
Virgin Voyages meanwhile, launched at the end of 2021. Its four ships offer exclusively adult sailings, currently departing from Miami and Barcelona – and soon to include Athens, San Juan and Melbourne.
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