Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Navy plans to use B50 fuel for its patrol vessels to improve fuel efficiency, the Navy chief said on Thursday, as part of efforts to reduce reliance on conventional fossil fuels.Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, Admiral Muhammad Ali, said the transition to B50 would require modifications to existing ship engines.”Going forward, we will use B50 fuel. This will require adjustments to the ship engines currently in use,” Ali said at a press conference at Navy Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.B50 is a biofuel blend consisting of 50 percent diesel and 50 percent crude palm oil (CPO).Ali said the use of B50 is expected to reduce the Navy’s dependence on fuel derived from crude oil.He added that the fuel would also support operations of high-mobility vessels, including maritime patrols and logistics or troop transport missions.The Navy will implement the use of B50 gradually in the near term.”For now, we are still using ships that run on B35 fuel for patrol operations,” Ali said.Ali assured that the adoption of B50 would not reduce the intensity of naval patrols despite ongoing fuel efficiency measures.Indonesia is set to mandate the use of B50 nationwide starting July 1, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen energy independence and improve efficiency.Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the policy is expected to save around Rp48 trillion in fuel subsidies and reduce fossil fuel consumption by up to 4 million kiloliters annually.He added that state energy company Pertamina is ready to implement the policy.