ARTCo Expands Use of Biodiesel Fuel in Illinois Fleet
The American River Transportation Company is now powering 29 line-haul vessels with B40+ soy-based biodiesel blends.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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The American River Transportation Company has transitioned its 29-vessel fleet to operate on high-blend soy-based biodiesel fuel. This shift in the Illinois-based fleet marks a significant move toward reducing marine vessel carbon emissions.
Why it matters
The company identified supply chain infrastructure as the primary hurdle to using higher biodiesel blends. By addressing this through a floating fuel flat and shore-based blending, they have created a pathway for sustainable fuel adoption in maritime operations.
The company operates 29 line-haul vessels using soy-based biodiesel sourced from Illinois and the Midwest. The implementation helps achieve annual reductions of 42,265 tons of CO2-equivalent emissions.
The players
American River Transportation Company
This company operates a fleet of 29 line-haul vessels and specializes in agricultural logistics and marine transportation.
United States Department of Agriculture
This federal agency provided grant funding through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program to support biodiesel infrastructure.
ADM
This global food processing and commodities trading corporation partnered with ARTCo to receive federal infrastructure grant funding.
Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation
This organization promotes the adoption of cleaner transportation fuels and technologies across the state.
The details
To manage the detergent properties of biodiesel, the company employs rigorous filter-change discipline and flush cycles to protect engine piping. Computerized control systems allow for precise blending and supply of these higher-concentration fuels to the vessels.
Timeline
2003: ARTCo began incremental repowering of vessels.
2014: The B20 Club was founded.
2024: ADM and ARTCo received a USDA Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program grant.
October 9, 2026: Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation published a news release.
2027: ARTCo plans to bring biodiesel to the Lower Mississippi River.
Roadmap
The transition to high-blend biodiesel represents a broader shift in the maritime industry away from petroleum-exclusive diesel reliance. By leveraging support from the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, ARTCo is positioning itself as a leader in marine decarbonization.
While the shift currently impacts industrial marine logistics, the successful implementation of high-blend biodiesel infrastructure influences regional fuel availability in the Midwest. This progress demonstrates the scalability of soy-based energy alternatives for large-scale shipping.
The takeaway
The move to B40+ fuel shows that agricultural commodities can play a direct role in meeting industrial emissions targets. Companies looking to reduce their environmental impact may consider similarly integrating specialized fleet maintenance protocols for cleaner fuel blends.
What happens next
ARTCo is scheduled to expand the availability of its high-blend biodiesel fuel to vessels operating on the Lower Mississippi River in 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in sustainable transit by browsing Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Waterways Journal.
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