Sealink MD Jeff Ellison (R), met ARF consultant Wayne Gumley at the Largs Bay biofuel production plant. Picture: Dean Martin Source: The Advertiser
KI FERRY service operator SeaLink Travel will use locally produced biodiesel to power its push towards being a greener business.
SeaLink collaborated with Largs Bay company Australian Renewable Fuels to run trials of the biofuel B20 - a mix of regular fuel and 20 per cent biodiesel - on its SeaLion 2000 ferry which is refueled in Adelaide.
SeaLink uses 1.2 million litres of fuel to run both its ferries, coaches and four-wheel drives.
The fuel mix costs the same as regular fuel for SeaLink, but will help the company cut around 600 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
SeaLink chief executive Jeff Ellison said the move enabled the group to reduce carbon emissions by about 23 per cent.
"The trials have convinced us that the change can be made without affecting the engines or their performance, with the added bonus of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.''
B20 is the highest blend of bio and mineral diesel that can be used while still meeting Australian diesel standards and allows SeaLink to receive the diesel fuel rebate of about 38c per litre that applies to businesses.
ARFuels produces the biodiesel component of the fuel by processing waste tallow (animal fats) and cooking oils.
SeaLink supplier United Petroleum gets the biodiesel component from ARFuels, mixes it with fuel and on-sells it to SeaLink.
A similar arrangement is being investigated for the second ferry, Spirit of Kangaroo Island, which is refueled in KI by Mobil.
ARFuels technical consultant Wayne Gumley said he was pleased to see more businesses in South Australia opting for greener fuel.
"Local miner IMX recently decided it was going to use B20 from pit to port. It's great for our business and great for the environment too,'' Mr Gumley said.
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