Stone oil converts to RD99 diesel

John W. Stone Oil Distributors of Gretna, La., recently secured a ratable supply of renewable diesel (RD99) to help jumpstart the process of converting its entire marine fleet to RD99. 

The company aims to play a pivotal role in promoting lower-carbon fuels and assisting vessels in meeting regulatory emission targets on the Gulf Coast.

COO Tony Odak told WorkBoat that as of July 11, the company had started the process of converting its marine fleet made up of 11 inland tug/towboats, 47 inland barges, and three offshore tanker units to RD99. 

The company said it expected to have approximately 50% of its fleet converted by the end of July and expect the remainder on RD99 by the end of August. 

Renewable diesel is made from fats and oils, such as soybean oil or canola oil, which undergo processing to become chemically identical to petroleum diesel.

Renewable diesel, with its chemical similarity to petroleum diesel, exhibits a potential for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions of up to 75% on a life-cycle basis compared to conventional fuels. 

Stone has committed to two storage tanks - a 100,000-bbl tank in Port Fourchon, La., and an 85,000-bbl tank in New Orleans - enabling efficient storage and distribution of the renewable bunker fuel. (Work Boat 08/01/23) Louisiana fuel supplier converting marine fleet to renewable diesel | WorkBoat