The US Navy's Arleigh Burke Class destroyer USS Stockdale became the first warship of US Navy Secretary Ray Mabus' "Great Green Fleet" last week as it sailed from San Diego.
The launch comes seven years after Mabus first announced the concept, focused on promoting the use of alternative fuels and energy efficiency across the Navy.
Mabus and US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack attended last week’s deployment of the guided missile destroyer, which will run on an alternative fuel blend consisting of 10 per cent waste beef fat provided by ranchers and farmers in the US Midwest and 90 per cent traditional petroleum.
Mabus was criticised in 2011 when it became known that a purchase of biofuel in a 50-50 blend ratio cost US$15 per gallon – four times the cost of regular ship diesel. The cost of the latest alternative fuel mix is reported to be a US$2 per gallon, a price competitive with the regular fuel.
The USN plans to deploy the John C. Stennis carrier strike group this year using the alternative fuels.
In 2012, the Royal Australian Navy signed an agreement (see video) with the USN to explore the increased use of environmentally-friendly fuels. The then Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Tim Barrett, delivered the Statement of Cooperation, signed between Mabus and then Chief of Navy Ray Griggs on board the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. Under the agreement, Australia has access to the technology developed by the US.
The RAN confirmed laste year that it planned to make all of its ships and aircraft biofuel capable within six years. Plans were made to send a frigate and a helicopter running on biofuel to take part in the USN's "Great Green Fleet" demonstration, set to take place later this year.