Govt aims for all ports to transition to B20 biodiesel, says Johari

The Star

3 days ago

SEPANG: The government is targeting all ports nationwide currently using B10 palm-based biodiesel in their operations to transition to B20 biodiesel, says Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani (pic).
The Plantation and Commo­dities Minister said the initiative would support the country's efforts to meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity based on gross domestic product by 45% by 2030 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
'In the future, I want to see every port, like Penang Port, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas Port, Johor Port and Kuantan Port, start using B20 biodiesel in their operations. We are currently collec­ting statistics, and based on that data, we will be able to determine the operational costs ­invol­ved,' he told reporters after laun­ching the B20 Use Pilot Project for Ground Service Vehicles and Machi­nery at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here yesterday, Bernama reported.
He said the government had already begun pilot projects for the use of B20 biodiesel in Lang­kawi, Labuan and Sarawak in 2020, and now at KLIA for ground service vehicles and machinery.
Johari said the move is to create a catalyst for national change in the use of green energy.
He noted that the initiative not only supports Malaysia's transition towards sustainable energy, but also strengthens the country's position as the world's second largest producer of palm oil, which is committed to responsible and proactive practices.
'This is one of the government's key initiatives because we've made a commitment to the world that we intend to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,' he said.
According to Johari, the project is being implemented through a strategic collaboration between the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), PETRONAS Dagangan Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and Syarikat Teras Kembang Sdn Bhd.
He said PETRONAS Dagangan serves as the B20 biodiesel sup­plier, while MAHB is the airport operator.
He added that Syarikat Teras Kembang manages the petrol ­stations supplying B20 biodiesel to operators of ground service vehicles and machinery at KLIA.
'This launch is a historic milestone as it marks the first time B20 biodiesel has been introduced for the ground service sector or the industrial sector at airports in Malaysia,' he said.
B20 is a blend of 20% palm methyl ester (PME) and 80% petro­leum diesel. It is seen as contribu­ting to sustainability and ­reducing the use of fossil-based fuels, as well as reducing the use of GHG that causes global warming.