Two ocean trawlers in the Northern Rivers and a river trawler on the Hawkesbury River have become the first in Australia to trial a low-carbon renewable fuel solution as part of a NSW Government research project on sustainable energy usage in the commercial fishing sector. 

The $920,000 Beyond Fossil Diesel Program is a collaboration between the NSW Government and the Decarbonisation Innovation Hub initiative, which supports collaboration between researchers and industry to increase the uptake of new technologies in decarbonising NSW.  

Renewable diesel is used as a drop-in replacement and offers industry a 70% - 90% reduction in their normal fuel-related emissions, and as part of the project, more than 6,000 litres of renewable diesel will be blended with fossil diesel at 30% of the mix.   

Research Officer Michael Cashen said after 18 months of research, the Beyond Fossil Diesel Program has hosted a series of renewable fuel demonstrations in both the Clarence and Hawkesbury regions.   

“The aim of the Beyond Fossil Diesel at Sea project is to provide practical examples that will inspire confidence and drive adoption of practical decarbonisation solutions within the marine sector,” Mr Cashen said.   

“We appreciate Yamba commercial fisher Steve Everson and Paul Aquilina from Spencer for participating in this landmark demonstration.   

“Their involvement will show other fishermen what is possible with these evolving low-carbon liquid fuels and how they work in their vessels.”  

Mr Cashen continued by saying renewable diesel can be made from biological feedstocks, including tallow, oilseed crops and sugar cane and has been used extensively in both the US and Europe in hard-to-abate sectors that have limited practical options to decarbonise.  

“Currently, the price of renewable diesel is too high for widespread adoption; however, with the development of an Australian Low Carbon Liquid Fuel industry, we expect prices to decrease over time, making it easier for the industry to adopt renewable diesel as stakeholders become more familiar with the product,” Mr Cashen said.  

“Raising awareness of low carbon liquid fuels as a replacement for fossil fuels was initially done in the agriculture sector as part of the Beyond Fossil Diesel project. 

“With potential demand for low carbon liquid fuels growing worldwide, NSW has a significant opportunity to help build feedstock supply and potentially production capacity that can create regional employment and reduce reliance on imported fuel.  

Low Carbon Liquid Fuels such as renewable diesel is a practical way for industry to reduce carbon emissions without having to make changes to existing machinery or supply chains.   

“By using renewable diesel, we can directly cut emissions and contribute to NSW target to net zero emissions by 2050.”  

NSW Northern Rivers commercial fisherman Steve Everson said, “I’m excited to be part of this Australian-first demonstration.   

“Using renewable diesel in my trawlers not only supports our local industry but also showcases the potential for reducing emissions without making changes to our equipment.”  

NSW Hawkesbury River fisherman Paul Aquilina said, "By showcasing the effectiveness of renewable diesel, we hope to inspire other fishermen to adopt these innovative fuels when they become more affordable in Australia.