(New Gretna, NJ – June 5, 2025) – Viking Yachts, in collaboration with Mack Boring & Parts Co., successfully demonstrated the performance and viability of renewable marine diesel in a Viking 48 Convertible during a media event Tuesday at Farley State Marina at the Golden Nugget.
The Viking 48 Convertible Mack Attack, owned by Mack Boring and powered by twin 1,150-hp Scania V8s, ran on RD99 renewable diesel – a clean-burning fuel made from renewable feedstocks such as used cooking oil. The ’99’ denotes that it contains 99% renewable content. It can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by as much as 90 percent, depending on feedstock and production methods.
Chemically similar to petroleum diesel, RD99 functions as a drop-in replacement without engine modifications. The sea trial proved that high performance sportfishing yachts can operate with reduced emissions and no sacrifice in performance.
The demonstration also raised awareness about sustainable marine fuel as a real-world solution for reducing carbon emissions in recreational boating. Broader adoption of the fuel is expected to drive investment in refinery production and distribution infrastructure along the East Coast and beyond.
Viking Director of Government Affairs and Sustainability John DePersenaire and Patrick McGovern, CEO of Mack Boring, the U.S. distributor of Scania marine diesel engines, gave a joint presentation to members of the media. This was followed by a Q&A session and capped off with a sea trial aboard the boat.
“This event is part of Viking’s broader effort to explore clean technologies and lead by example,” said DePersenaire. “We believe real-world demonstrations like this, combined with findings such as the Ricardo Report, which identified renewable diesel as the most viable near-term solution for marine decarbonization, can help pave the way for expanded infrastructure and industry acceptance.”
McGovern noted: “The performance of the Scania V8s on RD99 was seamless. This demonstration confirms that renewable diesel is not just a theoretical solution – it’s a practical one. We’re proud to work with Viking on initiatives that drive real environmental progress in the marine sector.”
RD99 currently carries a premium of about $1 to $1.25 per gallon over conventional diesel. However, as production scales, prices are expected to decrease – potentially narrowing the gap to as little as 20 cents per gallon.
“Viking has long supported renewable diesel as the leading solution to reduce emissions in recreational boating,” said Pat Healey, Viking President and CEO. “The industry is reaching the same conclusion, supported by independent research and real-world testing like this.”
The initiative generated national and regional coverage, as well as reports from leading marine media outlets. NBC News covered the event in this segment.
The demonstration coincided with Viking’s 2025 Dealer Meeting and Sea Trial Event, where the company also debuted the new Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht and showcased its full fleet of Viking and Valhalla boats.
