The UK’s Falmouth Harbour is set to supply HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) to recreational boats following the installation of a £50,000, 6,500 litre refuelling facility.
The harbour is currently testing the use of HVO fuel across its fleet of work boats – if tests are successful, the renewable fuel will be available to recreational boats later in 2025.
“We’re really pleased that HVO can be used as a part of a transition away from fossil fuels and we feel it is a good interim fuel to enable us to rapidly reduce Green House Gas emissions from our existing fleet of work vessels,” said Falmouth Harbour CEO Miles Carden.
We’re really pleased that HVO can be used as a part of a transition away from fossil fuels.
Miles Carden
“We will continue to proactively explore future fuel options as technology progresses.”
And he explained that certification schemes by the ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) and RFAS (Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme) ensure that all HVO supplied to the harbour is low-carbon and sourced from sustainable materials.
The harbour’s fleet includes the new £1.6 million pilot boat Atlantic, designed and built by Holyhead Marine in North Wales.
Renewable fuel
“As pioneers in introducing HVO fuel to our varied domestic and commercial customers Mitchell & Webber are absolutely delighted to support Falmouth Harbour in implementing this renewable fuel for their fleet of work-boats,” explained Mitchell & Webber director Tristan Weedon.
“HVO fuel is biodegradable, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, non-hydroscopic (it doesn’t absorb water) and has a higher flashpoint – so not only is it a greener fuel, but it is safer – all of which factors make it an ideal fuel for a marine environment.”
The refulling facility has been created at the harbour’s Marine Hub with 50% match-funding from Cornwall Council’s Growth Hub Grants Programme.
