UK: Dithering governments blamed for biofuel tanker shortage

Britain is facing a big shortage of ships for carrying biofuels unless politicians give clear guidelines about the future of renewable fuels, a leading maritime organisation warned last night.

The comments from Lloyd’s Register that the world fleet might be “unable to cope” unless an extra 400 suitable vessels – 20% of the present fleet – were constructed, came after energy minister Malcolm Wicks questioned the use of biofuels at a time of rising food prices.


Richard Sadler, chief executive of Lloyd’s Register, said more information was needed about the potentially destructive elements of first-generation biofuels, but second and third-generation looked highly promising and could trigger huge demand for transport.

Mixed messages from governments about whether they will stick to targets for biofuel use were creating problems, he said. “There is so much uncertainty that makes it very difficult for a shipowner to invest in a sector with so much political risk.”

Guardian