Tata Steel becomes the first Indian steel company to undertake a full-laden leg voyage from East Coast Australia to India, powered by a B24 biofuel blend with VLSFO (Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil). This voyage sets a new benchmark for sustainable shipping practices in India and marks a new milestone in the country’s maritime sector.

On April 17, 2024, the cape vessel "MV Cape XL" departed from Gladstone port after loading coal. It successfully berthed at Kalinga International Coal Terminal Paradip Private Ltd. (KICTPPL) port on May 8, 2024, to discharge 1,48,500 metric tons of coal.

During its laden leg from Gladstone to Paradip, MV Cape XL used B24-grade biofuel which was loaded from its ballast port in Guangzhou, China. Carbon emission for this laden leg voyage was approximately 565 tons less, which is ~20% less as compared to a traditional cape vessel using VLSFO, aligning with the Company's ambitious Scope 3 reduction targets.

Peeyush Gupta, Vice President, TQM, Group Strategic Procurement and Supply Chain, Tata Steel, said:"Through the use of biofuel in its maritime operations, Tata Steel not only reiterates its commitment to reducing carbon emissions but also sets a new standard for sustainability in the industry. By choosing a biofuel blend for our voyage from Australia to India, we were able to cut carbon emissions by ~20% contributing significantly to our scope 3 reduction targets. We endeavour to undertake more such shipments for imports through alternate fuel-powered vessels, and continue to align ourselves with global efforts towards climate change."

Despite facing challenges in fuel availability, Tata Steel successfully executed this historic shipment in collaboration with its partners, Cargill and Banle Energy International Limited.

The B24 blend, the current benchmark grade for marine biofuel, combines 24% used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME) with 76% very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).

Earlier in December 2021, Tata Steel deployed the first Bio-fuel-powered vessel MV Frontier Sky which was also the first by any Indian steel manufacturer. The Company continued the decarbonisation drive with 7 biofuel shipments in FY23 and 22 biofuel shipments in FY24 in addition to becoming the first Indian company to import cargo on bulk carriers using LNG as fuel instead of traditional VLSFO.

Tata Steel is also the first steel producer in the world to join the Sea Cargo Charter (SCC) to align its chartering activities with responsible environmental behaviour, consistent with the policies and ambitions of the International Maritime Organisation.

Disclaimer

Statements in this press release describing the Company’s performance may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results may differ materially from those directly or indirectly expressed, inferred or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Company’s operations include, among others, economic conditions affecting demand/ supply and price conditions in the domestic and overseas markets in which the Company operates, changes in or due to the environment, Government regulations, laws, statutes, judicial pronouncements and/ or other incidental factors.

For queries and information

Sarvesh Kumar,
Chief Corporate Communications, Tata Steel,
E-mail : sarvesh.kumar@tatasteel.com

About Tata Steel

• Tata Steel group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 35 million tonnes per annum.
• It is one of the world's most geographically diversified steel producers, with operations and commercial presence across the world.
• The group recorded a consolidated turnover of ~US$30.3 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2023.
• A Great Place to Work-Certified^TM organisation, Tata Steel Limited, together with its subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures, is spread across five continents with an employee base of over 77,000.
• Tata Steel has announced its major sustainability objectives including Net Zero Carbon by 2045.
• The Company has been on a multi-year digital-enabled business transformation journey intending to be the leader in ‘Digital Steel making by 2025’. The Company has received the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse recognition for its Jamshedpur, Kalinganagar and IJmuiden Plants.
• Tata Steel aspires to have 25% diverse workforce by 2025. The Company has been recognised with the World Economic Forum’s Global Diversity Equity & Inclusion Lighthouse 2023.
• The Company has been a part of the DJSI Emerging Markets Index since 2012 and has been consistently ranked amongst top 10 steel companies in the DJSI Corporate Sustainability Assessment since 2016.
• Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur Plant is India’s first site to receive ResponsibleSteel^TM Subsequently, its Kalinganagar and Meramandali plants have also received the certification. In India, Tata Steel now has more than 90% of its steel production from ResponsibleSteel^TM certified sites.
• Received Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant for 2016-17, 2023 Steel Sustainability Champion recognition from worldsteel for six years in a row, 2022 ‘Supplier Engagement Leader’ recognition by CDP, Top performer in Iron and Steel sector in Dun & Bradstreet's India's top 500 companies 2022, Ranked as the 2023 most valuable Mining and Metals brand in India by Brand Finance, ‘Most Ethical Company’ award 2021 from Ethisphere Institute, and ‘Best Corporate for Promotion of Sports’ recognition at the Sportstar Aces Awards 2024.
• Received 2023 ERM (Enterprise Risk Management) Award of Distinction at the RIMS ERM Conference 2023, ‘Masters of Risk’ - Metals & Mining Sector recognition at The India Risk Management Awards for the seventh consecutive year, and Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting FY20 from ICAI, among several others.

Photographs: Management and Plant facilities

Logos: Files and usage guidelines 

Website: www.tatasteel.com and www.wealsomaketomorrow.com

Follow us on