CBH Marketing and Trade partnered with Oldendorff Carries to ship 30,000 tonnes of sustainably certified malting barley aboard the biofuel powered Edwine Oldendorff in January 2022.

The trial found that the biofuel blend achieved a 14 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for its journey from Albany, Western Australia, to Vietnam compared to conventional fossil fuels.

The biofuel was also found to have no impact on the speed of the vessel or its engine performance.

CBH Chief Marketing and Trading Officer, Jason Craig said this is a fantastic result that will help pave the way for a more sustainable grains industry.

"The trial has gathered valuable information which will undoubtedly shape the efforts to decarbonise the shipping industry," he said.

"Reducing emissions along the supply chain is a massive task and we are proud to be working alongside our global partners to find a solution," Craig said.

The malting barley, which is accredited as sustainable under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) program, was set for Vietnam's leading malting company, Intermalt.

Intermalt services a number of brewing customers, the largest being Heineken, which has set a target of a carbon neutral value chain by 2040.

"This trial is one way we are making sure we can contribute to meet the increasing market demand for sustainable grain and keep our Western Australian growers competitive," Craig said.

Managing Director at Oldendorff Carries Melbourne, Ben Harper said we are very satisfied with the trial and consider it a successful demonstration of the sourcing, supply and combustion of the biofuel blend.

"Given the reduced carbon input, reduced carbon emissions and the inspection of the engine equipment, we conclude that this voyage was performed in a more efficient manner than a similar voyage fully powered by fossil fuels," Harper said.

The biofuel blend was supplied by integrated energy company BP and comprised 20 per cent biofuel, largely made from recycled cooking oils.