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HVO for Inland Waterways Boaters

HVO Supply on UK Inland Waterways

The availability of HVO for inland waterways vessels in the UK is limited, though there are some opportunities to buy the fuel through the IWA’s list of current UK stockists and other suppliers.

Unlike seagoing vessels, inland waterways vessels are eligible to use HVO under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), the Government scheme that supports renewable fuels.

This means that HVO supplied to inland vessels for both propulsion and domestic purposes is supported by RTFCs (Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates).

Following pressure from the HVO Joint Working Group, all HVO delivered to a leisure craft can now benefit from RTFCs, regardless of whether it is used for propulsion or domestic purposes on the boat.

However, eligibility under the scheme is not always enough to ensure that fuel retailers will stock HVO, so the number of marinas on inland waterways selling HVO is limited.

Take Action

To help increase demand, expand supply and stabilise the price of HVO to encourage the adoption of the biofuel in the leisure boating community. Please:

  • Use HVO whenever you can get it.
  • Inform your fuel suppler (marina, boa­tyard, hire base) that you would buy HVO if they stocked it.
  • Lobby or write to your MP asking them to pressurise the Government to support the campaign to adopt policies that will make HVO available and affordable to leisure boaters.

Tests and Trials

IWA’s Sustainable Boating Group has undertaken trials in various types of boat engines of different vintages, as well as in other common marine diesel fired equipment such as heating systems and cookers. All have performed well using HVO in place of their usual supply.

User Stories

Malcolm Bridge, Ampère, 523219
“.…..In our generator it was indistinguishable from mineral diesel. Where we saw a difference was in our drip-feed heater which went a full winter without needing cleaning out, something we usually have to do every 3-4 weeks.”

 

[The photo and one below show narrow boat Barnet, which sells HVO fuel to boats as a roving trader]

 

 

Where Can Boaters Buy HVO?

Following research by the IWA, the current known stockists of HVO are listed here and below.

  • Crown Oils (07585 792918) will sell direct to the public in quantities as small as 205 litre drums and 1000 litre IBCs. These can be sent out as pallet loads and add between £40 – £60 to the unit price of the fuel. Two drums fit on one pallet so it is most cost effective to buy drums in pairs. Crown Oils provide a country-wide link up with a range of small, private fuel distributors, as with all bulk fuel deliveries the minimum quantity is 500 litres. However, due to falling demand levels for rebated HVO (red) together with a greatly increased uptake by the road haulage industry, it is likely that only fuel carrying the full duty (white) will be available in the future. In London and the Home Counties they also operate as Speedy Fuels and in the Midlands as Beesley Fuels.  Further north they also operate as Nationwide Fuels & Lubricants Ltd (0333 015 6031; nationwidefuels.co.uk).
  • New Era (01279 425757; newera-energy.co.uk) sell HVO in 20 litre fuel ‘cubes’ and in bulk tanker deliveries.
  • Certas Energy (0345 600 4242 Ext 61760/07795 294326; [email protected]). Certas have taken over GBF Ltd (once the second largest HVO supplier in the UK) and are now nationwide HVO stockists delivering by tanker.
  • Bunkerone (07540 281110; [email protected]). Richard Heard can arrange HVO supplies in various parts of the UK.
  • Compass Energy (01202 684138; [email protected]. Graham Manchester can arrange HVO supplies in various parts of the UK.
  • Scottish Canals – Broxburn – Union Canal – [email protected]) Contact Mark Smith (07796 938318;  stocks (white) HVO at this location.
  • Scottish Canals – Auchinstarry – Forth & Clyde Canal – Contact Mark Smith (07796 938318; [email protected]) stocks (white) HVO at this location.
  • Scottish Canals – Speirs Wharf – Forth & Clyde Canal, Glasgow Branch– Contact Mark Smith (07796 938318; [email protected]) stocks (white) HVO at this location.
  • Aqueduct Marina, The Outlanes, Church Minshull, Nantwich CW5 6DX (01270 525041).
  • Stonebridge Lock Boatyard, Marsh Lane, Tottenham N17 0XD (07909 520920).
  • Trinity Boats Ltd Dunhampstead Wharf, Droitwich WR9 7JX (01905 779048; trinityboats.co.uk) operate all their hire fleet on HVO and sell to passing boaters.
  • Semington Dry Dock (01380 870654; semngtondrydock.co.uk) anticipate selling HVO in the very near future. Contact Ian on 07410 551649 for the up to date situation.

 

 

 

LOVE YOUR WATERWAYS

Britain's waterways are vital; together we can campaign for them now and for the future.