May 11, 2023

Astomos, INPEX Agree to Supply Middle East’s First Ever
Marine Biofuel for VLGC
Astomos Energy
INPEX CORPORATIONTokyo, Japan - Astomos Energy Corporation (Astomos) and INPEX CORPORATION(INPEX) announced today they reached an agreement to supply B24 biofuel bunker toa Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) chartered by Astomos in the United Arab Emirates(UAE).
Over the next several months, INPEX will supply B24 biofuel to the VLGC through abunker vessel operated by Monjasa1 at Khor Fakkan port in the UAE emirate of Sharjah.
This will be the first instance in which biofuel is supplied to a VLGC in the Middle East.
B24 biofuel consists of 24 percent fatty acid methyl ester (FAME2) and 76 percent very
low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO), a conventional bunker fuel. Dubai-based Neutral Fuels3 willproduce the FAME from waste cooking oil collected from restaurants and hotels in theUAE. Monjasa will supply the VLSFO and blend it with the FAME. The use of B24 biofuelis expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 15~20 percent compared to conventional bunkerfuel. The FAME is certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification
system, which guarantees the sustainability of its sources.
Biofuel can be utilized to power vessels without modifications. Biofuel is also gaining
attention as a viable option towards the decarbonization of bunker fuel due to its raw
materials consisting of plant-based waste cooking oil.
Astomos realized the world’s first CN LPG procurement and launched Japan’s first LPGfueled vessel toward the realization of the Japanese government’s “Carbon Neutral
Society by 2050” policy.
Furthermore, Astomos has established the “Green Business Development Office” for thepurpose of strategic planning and promotion from a long-term and comprehensive
perspective regarding efforts to build a low-carbon society. As an energy supplier,
Astomos will continue to work with its customers to actively promote reduction ofenvironmental impact and efforts toward the realization of a sustainable society andachievement of SDGs.
INPEX seeks to proactively engage in energy structure reforms towards the realizationof a net zero carbon society by 2050 while responding to the energy demands of Japanand other countries around the world, as outlined in its Long-term Strategy and Mediumterm Business Plan (INPEX Vision @2022) announced in February 2022. Theagreement announced today is aligned to these objectives and is intended to help
achieve energy supply diversification and make energy cleaner. INPEX, in collaboration
with partners around the world, plans to expand its biofuel business, develop a liquefied
natural gas (LNG) bunkering business in the UAE and Indonesia and develop alternative
fuels including ammonia and methanol.
In addition, the INPEX Group has conducted the exploration and production of crude oiland associated business activities in the UAE for 50 years since 1973. The group will
strive to help maintain and strengthen the cordial relations between the UAE and Japanby proactively engaging in the development and production of both crude oil and clean
energy such as hydrogen and ammonia, as well as social contribution activities, in theUAE.
1Monjasa is a global partner in the oil and shipping industries and among the world’s 10

largest marine fuel suppliers with a fleet of 30 vessels and total volume of around 6
million tons yearly. As part of its Responsibility framework, Monjasa is engaged withMærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping as Mission Ambassador.
2FAME

is an abbreviation of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester. The ingredient determinesdesignations. (e.g., UCOME (Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester), PME (Palm Methyl Ester),RME (Rapeseed Methyl Ester), SME (Soybean Methyl Ester), TME (Tallow MethylEster)). The B24 biofuel INPEX will supply consists of 24% FAME and 76% VLSFO.
Neutral Fuels was founded in 2011 in the Emirate of Dubai and produces biodiesel from3

waste cooking oil collected from restaurants and hotels in the UAE. In response to theglobal decarbonization requirements, Neutral Fuels aims to expand biodiesel productionin the Middle East and other regions.
■Media Contact:

Astomos Energy, Head Office, Administration Department, Tel) +81-50-3816-0700
INPEX Tokyo Office, Public Relations Group, Tel) +81-3-5572-0233