Introduction of biodiesel used for tourist boats in Ha Long Bay is considered a positive signal in environmental protection of this world natural heritage site.
The biofuel program being implemented in Quang Ninh Province is acomponent of the project “Multi-benefit solution to minimize climate change impacts in Viet Nam and Indochinese countries by biofuel” sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The project is implemented in Quang Ninh Province with two components. The first one includes research and development of variety and pilot planting a number of oil-extracted trees with total cost of 900 million VND from nonrefundable ODA from the Japanese Government. This component has been implemented from 6/2013 to 9/2016.
The second component is a research to test biodiesel for a number of tourist boats in Ha Long Bay. More interestingly, the material of this fuel is planted in waste areas of a number of companies under the Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group.
The Bai Tho tourist transportation company was selected in the project. During the implementation, the project provided 36 tons biodiesel for the company. Besides, it also supports to maintain boats, replace broken parts and instruct crew members with biodiesel testing procedure. Accordingly, 6 boats of the company were tested with B5 diesel (5% of bio fuel and 95% diesel fossil fuel), B10 diesel (10% of bio fuel and 90% diesel fossil fuel).
After one year, the test shows stable operation of boats (power, noise, and stability). More remarkably, the emission monitoring result show CO content reduced 10 times. However, using biodiesel still meets limitations such as: high consumption of fuel, about 5% to compare with 2.5%; especially when temperature below 10 degrees Celsius, engine of boat meets difficulty to start up; biodiesel stored at temperature below 10 degrees will be frozen; filter of engine has to be replaced more frequently (every 2 months in stead of 6 months). The filter working longer than 2 months can prevent operation of the machine.
Regardless of limitations, the biodiesel has shown its advantages of completely clean fuel. According to professors of the Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi, using 5% biodiesel and 95% of usual diesel can reduce 30% of toxic emission into environment.
Mr. Bui Quang Huy – Deputy Director of Can Tho tourist transportation company hopes that after project, the Quang Ninh Province and JICA will continue to support and connect Japanese ship manufacturing companies with the enterprises of the province operating in shipping tourism to reform their equipment, so that they can use biodieselin order to reduce fuel consumption. Moreover, the Japanese Government will also continue to support in research this biofuel for scaling up to other boats.