Participation in Jatropha-Based Biofuel Production Project in Mozambique

Dowa Line is participating in a biofuel production project based on jatropha, led by Nippon Biofuel Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Makoto Goda) in Mozambique.

Jatropha is a drought-resistant plant that can be cultivated on land not suitable for agriculture. As a non-edible crop rich in oil content, it has garnered attention as a promising feedstock for sustainable biofuel.

This project aims to cultivate jatropha along the Nacala Corridor, which extends from the Port of Nacala in northern Mozambique to Malawi, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The oil extracted from jatropha seeds will be used to produce biofuel. Through financial contributions to Nippon Biofuel Co., Ltd., Dowa Line will support the project’s feasibility studies and demonstration tests using marine engines.

As plants absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis during their growth, plant-derived biofuels have the potential to reduce overall CO₂ emissions in a “Well to Wake” lifecycle assessment, which evaluates emissions from production to final use.

Biofuel is viewed as a practical alternative fuel that can be used in conventional marine engines. Test results using blended fuels composed of SVO (Straight Vegetable Oil) derived from jatropha and low-sulfur type A and type C heavy fuel oils have confirmed the suitability for use in conventional marine engines.

Through its participation in this project, Dowa Line aims to accumulate knowledge on the production and onboard consumption of biofuels, thereby contributing to the reduction of the environmental impact of its operating fleet.