SEPANG: The government is targeting all ports nationwide currently using B10 palm-based biodiesel in their operations to transition to B20 biodiesel, says Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
"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 on Thursday (May 29).
He stated that the government had initiated pilot projects for the use of B20 biodiesel in Langkawi, Labuan, and Sarawak in 2020 and was now implementing it at KLIA for ground service vehicles and machinery.
Johari said the initiative supports Malaysia's transition toward sustainable energy and strengthens the country's position as the world's second-largest producer of palm oil.
"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 was being implemented through a 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 Bhd serves as the B20 biodiesel supplier, MAHB as the airport operator, while Syarikat Teras Kembang Sdn Bhd manages the petrol stations supplying B20 to operators of ground service vehicles and machinery at KLIA.
"This launch 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. – Bernama
