The New York Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) has awarded its first tender for the purchase of renewable diesel (R99) for its ferries.
The tender is part of the DCAS’ overall plan to transition the Staten Island Ferry, alongside other vessels, to renewable diesel.
The transition plan was first announced in October 2024, with DCAS basing its first tender on the New York Harbor R99 price published by price reporting agency, Argus.
Argus Media Chairman and Chief Executive, Adrian Binks, said:We developed our renewable diesel prices in close consultation with buyers and sellers to provide essential transparency around market value in this evolving space. We are delighted that DCAS is using our price for its ferry fleet transition program.
A biofuel that acts as a replacement for petroleum diesel, R99 requires no engine modification in order to be used in existing vehicles, with use of the fuel source growing within the US following recent changes to environmental policy.
Testing of the renewable diesel is already underway, with DCAS, the NYC Department of Transportation, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection and NYC Parks all gauging the feasibility of the fuel’s use.
The new barge contract is hoped to enable a smooth transition to long-term and large-scale renewable diesel use with City vessels.
DCAS Deputy Commissioner and NYC Chief Fleet Officer, Keith Kerman, said:We have already moved all our heavy-duty and off-road vehicles to renewable diesel, making us the first major East Coast city to adopt green technology on such a large scale. As announced by the City in October 2024, step two is to move NYC's ferries and vessels to this more environmentally friendly fuel.
DCAS contracts with Argus for fuel market information and Argus has now provided us with a new resource to compare renewable with conventional fuel pricing in our contracts.
