Baltic transport 2024 highlights

by Przemysław Myszka

The past year brought about another healthy portion of green transport & logistics news from across the Baltic Sea region, with developments & bold plans (and one major country blockage) within the offshore wind energy sector (including auxiliary propulsion). A lot also happened on the future fuels front (something the first month of 2025 also pronounced), as well as concerning the setup of green corridors, embracing electrification (on- and offshore, including cold ironing), and carbon capture (here, too, on land & sea). There were a few major events in 'traditional' port development, plus even more in shipping, with especially Swedish shipowners welcoming to the Baltic a not insignificant number of newbuilds.

// Wind //

The past year kicked off in the field of offshore wind energy (OWE) with news that Finland's first farm will get stronger. To that end, Suomen Hyötytuuli obtained the building and water permits for adding new turbines to the 42-megawatt, 2017-commissioned Tahkoluoto farm off the coast of Pori. The so-called demonstration project, supported by NextGenerationEU funding, will see the addition of two at least 15MW strong turbines (the current ones, 11, have a capacity of 2.3-4.2MW). The project aims to demonstrate the construction of newscale offshore wind turbines, likewise testing foundations capable of withstanding harsh sea conditions (Tahkoluoto is the world's first OWE farm erected in freezing waters). The entire expansion project assumes placing 40 new 15-20MW turbines, thus increasing the farm's capacity by 600-800MW by 2027-29. "These are the first permits granted to offshore wind turbines of this size in Finland. When applying for permits for Suomen Hyötytuuli, it was important to ensure that the plans comprehensively took into account the understanding of the marine nature of the area and became more detailed during the environmental impact assessment and zoning," said Juho Lappalainen, Project Development

Manager responsible for the Tahkoluoto OWE farm expansion. Then again, things got blurry at the beginning of 2025 when Tahkoluoto Offshore said the extension would proceed without the two 15MW wind turbines demo. This phase secured €30 million from Finland's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, but delivery schedule changes meant the grant's conditions could no longer be met. "Cost pressures and uncertainty over property taxation made the risks too high," commented Toni Sulameri, Managing Director of Tahkoluoto Offshore. However, the extension project as a whole remains on track (supposedly). The investment decision is expected before end-2026.

In the meantime, the City of Pori – together with the Port of Pori,the cityowned company Suisto Kiinteistöt, as well as Suomen Hyötytuuli, Enersense, and the Dutch logistics service provider Olmar – are working on setting up an international hub for expertise and operations based on offshore wind power. The competence hub will be located on a 50-hectare plot in the Port of Pori's Mäntyluoto Harbour. In the initial phase, the area will be used for pre-installation services, assembly, and storage of OWE turbines. "There are several significant offshore wind power investments planned for the Gulf of Bothnia. Our goal is to build a competence hub that serves wind power projects in the region, both in Finland and Sweden. We already have one offshore wind park in operation, giving us a head start compared to competitors. We aim to develop Pori as a pioneer in clean energy solutions," highlighted Lauri Kilkku, the City of Pori's Deputy Mayor. Seppo Ihalainen, heading the Pori Offshore Wind Hub project, also underscored, "The principles in green transition projects are similar to those in developing digital infrastructure. Expertise is crucial, and it is necessary to build strong ecosystems. Wind power expertise and port development provide a solid foundation for industrial investments related to solar power and green hydrogen production." Enersense is already constructing technically demanding foundations for OWE turbines in Mäntyluoto. Suomen Hyötytuuli and the Port of Pori agreed to build a gravel loading dock at the Tahkoluoto Harbour to serve the construction of wind turbine foundations.

In mid-January 2025, the City of Pori, the Port of Pori, and Tahkoluoto Offshore signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the development of the Pori Offshore Wind Hub. The collaboration sets to define the role of the Hub as the primary logistics and pre-installation base for the Tahkoluoto Offshore Wind Farm Extension project. To that end, the memorandum provides a two-year time-frame for implementing the necessary infrastructural investments in the port area. According to the Confederation of Finnish Industries, the total value of planned OWE investments in Finland exceeds €42 billion (data for January 2024). Within a radius of 400 kilometres from Pori, 15 larger OWE projects have been announced.

In mid-January 2024, Vestas announced it intends to invest in a second OWE factory in Szczecin – for producing blades for the V236.15.0MW wind energy turbine model. The facility, which could come online in 2026, will be located on a site acquired by Vestas in February 2023 and situated near an island where the company will have its nacelle assembly factory (expected to start operating this year). "Vestas intends to lead the development of a sustainable supply chain in Europe that can deliver the scale needed to meet the expected growth in demand for offshore wind. Our plans for two new offshore factories in Poland underline that Europe can spur wind industry investments and green jobs with the right long-term policy commitments for offshore wind projects," commented Tommy Rahbek Nielsen, Vestas' COO.

Towards the month's end, and Windar Renovables signed & sealed its deal for a factory in Szczecin. The Spaniards and the Port of Szczecin-Świnoujście ratified the October 2023-signed preliminary land concession agreement. The company will now establish an OWE tower production centre in the Port of Szczecin. The factory (four assembly lines) and its storage area will occupy 17 ha. The towers produced by Windar in Szczecin will be designed to support the new generation turbines with 20MW of installed capacity. In late December 2024, the company contracted PORR for carrying out the construction works, a task that will take a year and a half. The €70 million factory investment will provide some 400 jobs. 

In late January 2024, the Port of Hirtshals initiated a dialogue-based tender to erect up to nine additional turbines at its premises. These could come online in 2027, joining the existing four units (4.2MW; Denmark's first set up on commercial terms – in 2019). The new turbines will be from 150 to 180 or 200-metre-tall (nine, six, and four pieces, respectively), producing 169/174/135MWh/year. The energy from the existing and future wind turbines will be used for power-to-x purposes. "Hirtshals is perhaps the first port in the world to require that the electricity generated by its wind turbines be used to produce the green fuels of the future," the Danish seaport underlined in a press brief. Per Holm Nørgaard, the seaport's CEO, added, "There is no doubt that Hirtshals is an attractive area for wind turbines. Hirtshals is one of the windiest places in Denmark, and we expect great interest from investors. We see very good opportunities for establishing production of, for example, methanol and hydrogen at the port, and we are currently working on the planning of a major port expansion, which will include the establishment of a new large commercial area with space for even more companies working with the green solutions of the future."

In February last year, the Port of Szczecin-Świnoujście joined the Offshore Wind Port Alliance, an organisation that aims to cooperate to provide sufficient handling & storage capacity for Europe's offshore wind energy industry. "The current geopolitical situation in Europe and the ongoing green transition requires that more turbines are installed – preferably quickly to help build security regarding Europe's energy supply. That is why the ports are strengthening the collaboration at the operational and practical level," the Alliance underlined in a press brief. "Wind turbines require a lot of space at the ports, so lack of space is a specific challenge the ports are working to solve together. If one port only has space for half a project, another port may have space for the other half. In this way, the offshore wind farm can be built as scheduled and the client will not have to wait for space at one specific port," the organisation added. The Offshore Wind Port Alliance was founded by the ports of Cuxhaven (Niedersachsen Ports), Eemshaven (Groningen Seaports), Esbjerg, Humber (Associated British Ports), Nantes Saint-Nazaire, and Oostende.

Also in February, Van Oord 's trailing suction hopper dredger Vox Amalia arrived at the Paldiski South Harbour, where the Port of Tallinn is erecting a dock to serve the OWE industry. Vox Amalia's job is to supply approximately 830 thousand cubic metres of sand to create 10 hectares of land for the quay (expected to become operational this year). The sand is dredged from a borrow area on the northern coast of Hiiumaa, about 125 kilometres from the port.

Before February's end, OX2, a developer of renewable energy, and the Port of Vaasa signed a letter of intent concerning the construction, operations, and maintenance of the Tyrsky OWE farm. The partnership follows a similar one between the two around the Laine OWE farm. Tyrsky will be located 30 kilometres off Kaskinen, comprising 95 turbines generating 6.0TWh/year (around 8% of Finland's electricity demand in 2023). Laine, situated 32 km off Pietarsaari, will have 150 turbines (11TWh/year). The company also works on a third OWE project in the Bothnian Bay: Halla (35 km off Raahe, 160 turbines, 12TWh/year). OX2 signed similar agreements with other Finnish seaports: Kaskinen, Kokkola, Pietarsaari, and Raahe. Mathias Skog, OX2's Tyrsky Project Leader, commented, "Ports are essential partners for the development of offshore wind energy, and their infrastructure plays a vital role in carrying out projects. The letter of intent gives way to a more open discussion not only concerning the needs and plans for offshore wind energy farms but also about the port's role and its development needs."

In early March, the Polish Development Fund (PFR), a 30% shareholder in Baltic Hub, shared its plans of spending PLN500 million (€116 million) on setting up a dedicated OWE installation & maintenance quay in the Port of Gdańsk. The 21-hectare investment, planned for completion in 2026, will comprise two 17.5-metre deep berths as part of Baltic Hub: 451 metres for installation and 349 metres for maintenance purposes. Additionally, the terminal will include a ro-ro berth.

In March as well, Thyborøn-Harboøre Vindmøllelaug I/S af 2002 invested in Vestas' most-powerful wind turbine of the V236-15.0MW model. The delivery, to the waterfront in the Port of Thyborøn, was planned to begin in Q1 2024, with commissioning scheduled for completion in the following quarter. The order also included a 20-year AOM4000 service agreement as well as testing and verification of the turbine's operations by the manufacturer. Jens Jørgen Birch, the investor's spokesperson, highlighted, "We are very pleased to install the new V23615.0MW turbine at a site in Thyborøn that offers great wind conditions for optimal energy production. Nearly 2,800 local shareholders have financed the turbine, and we look forward to showcase it to locals and tourists as we expect it to become an attraction." Nils de Baar, President of Vestas Northern and Central Europe, added, "We are very pleased with the effective collaboration with ThyborønHarboøre Vindmøllelaug for this turbine that will help us in our final verification campaign before we begin serial production and installation of the first offshore projects featuring the V236-15.0MW turbine. The 264 days approval process from the municipality has been extremely quick while the local support from the citizens in Thyborøn has been overwhelmingly positive. Therefore, this is a great international example of how a combination of quick permitting and local engagement can support the green transition."

A prototype of the V236-15.0MW model was earlier installed at the Østerild Wind Turbine Test Field (managed by the DTU Risø Campus of the Technical University of Denmark). Vestas' at-that-time order book for the V236-15.0MW included offshore projects in Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands. The first turbines are expected to be installed this year.

Still in March 2024, Van Oord signed an agreement with the Liepāja Special Economic Zone, following which it'd scrutinise the set up of an OWE support base and cargo terminal. Over the next two years, Van Oord will carry out the preparatory work, including research, business plan development, and technical design elaboration. If everything goes according to plan, construction could kick off in 2026, with the OWE support base coming online in mid-2027. Mark Bot, Project Manager at the Dutch company, commented, "Van Oord's ambition is to act as the initiator in accelerating the transformation of the energy industry. This project is a strong example of how Van Oord can take on the role and ensure a positive impact on future generations."

A few days later, the Port of Hanko and the Euroports Group partnered to establish a hub for the OWE supply chain at the former's Koverhar Harbour Petteri Sammalisto, Commercial Director of Euroports Finland, underscored, "The letter of intent with the Port of Hanko enables us to expand our business in renewable energy. By creating a unique wind hub here, we're not just addressing the immediate needs of the wind energy sector; we're fostering a sustainable ecosystem that will serve the Baltic region and beyond." The parties underlined that 600 hectares in the Koverhar Harbour are available for future industrial development, of which 90 are dedicated to direct port activities. The Finnish arm of Euroports highlighted in this regard, "The initiative is looking beyond the logistical challenges. It aspires to cultivate an entire green ecosystem within its considerable back-land area. Euroports' deep, long-standing experience as a terminal operator, associated with a strong track record in both the onshore and offshore wind industry, allows our teams to handle the full value chain, including freight forwarding through our subsidiary Manuport Logistics ."

In April 2024, the Vilnius Declaration was agreed on, with eight EU Baltic countries pledging closer collaboration to secure critical offshore energy infrastructure throughout the region, with a particular emphasis on wind. The said states will work across several fronts: increasing OWE capacity from today's 3.1GW to 19.6 by 2030, decarbonising their energy systems, as well as phasing out Russian fossil fuels with competitive, 'home-grown' renewables. To those ends, the partners will develop a regional wind energy supply chain, including through investments in joint (hybrid) OWE farms, (meshed) grids, and port infrastructure.

In mid-May last year, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier 's jack-up vessel Blue Tern erected the first turbine of Iberdrola and Masdar 's JV 476MW Baltic Eagle OWE project. The investment was scheduled for completion by 2024's end (after setting up 50 wind turbines of Vestas' V1749.5MW model). The project was carried out from the German Baltic Mukran Port. Together with the already operational 350MW Wikinger and the planned 315MW Windanker OWE farms, Baltic Eagle forms Iberdrola's 1.1GW Baltic Hub.

Also in May, the Port of Karlshamn and the energy company RWE signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at scrutinising the Swedish seaport's role in serving future OWE farms in the Baltic. Specifically, the collaboration was to explore whether Karlshamn could be a suitable harbour for the logistics, installation, operational, and maintenance activities relating to RWE's planned offshore wind projects in the Baltic Sea. In a first step, the partners would map the requirements and necessary build-outs and investments to facilitate the scaling-up of the port's capacity. "Port capacity and a sustainable supply chain industry are key to the deployment of offshore wind projects. And a new offshore wind farm has the potential to transform a nearby harbour into a dynamic hub that catalyses significantly growth, infrastructure, jobs, and economic benefits for the region. That is why we are looking forward to collaborating with the Port of Karlshamn to evaluate their potential as a future offshore wind hub," Matilda Machacek, Vice President of Offshore Development Nordics at RWE Offshore Wind, commented on the occasion. To this Anton Andersson, Project Lead at RWE Renewables Sweden, added, "Our Kårehamn Offshore Wind farm [48MW off the island of Öland commissioned in 2013] is a great example also for harbour development. It has been reliably generating green electricity for thousands of Swedish homes for more than a decade. Thanks to the wind farm, the old fishing harbour has been revitalised. Based on this success, RWE plans to build more offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea." Caroline Säfström, the Port of Karlshamn's CEO, underlined, "The Port of Karlshamn is proud that RWE, one of the world's leading offshore wind companies, is supporting us in our plans to become a hub for offshore wind. With its natural deep harbour and large shipyard, the Port of Karlshamn is well positioned to meet the future needs of the offshore wind industry in the Baltic Sea. We recognise the demand for port capacity related to offshore wind energy, including after-sales services such as maintenance and operations centres. Expanding the port's product portfolio in this direction is a natural step given our previous experience with wind energy projects and logistics." She further underscored, "By establishing itself as a hub for offshore wind energy, the Port of Karlshamn is also creating employment opportunities for the region and promoting business opportunities for local companies and suppliers, thus contributing to the economic development of the area and strengthening the local economy."

In June of 2024, a similar agreement was struck between RWE and Smålandshamnar to explore the development of the latter's Port of Oskarshamn into a logistics, installation, loading, operations, and maintenance OWE base. "An early implementation of port capacity will ensure that Sweden is well placed to maximise the potential of the offshore wind industry. This collaboration demonstrates a clear commitment to sharing knowledge and expertise, thus supporting broader industrial growth in Sweden," the energy company underlined in a press release.

Then in early November 2024, RWE, the Port of Karlshamn, and Smålandshamnar (plus OX2, Eolus, Ørsted, Freja Offshore, Deep Wind Offshore, and Statkraft) must have been blinking at the Swedish cabinet's announcement of cancelling 13 OWE projects (almost 32GW of capacity, some €47 billion of private investment) due to military defence concerns. "Yet again Sweden is bottom of the class on offshore wind. The Swedish Government has been unhelpful on offshore wind for many years. But a plain ban on offshore wind development in large parts of the Baltic Sea is unheard of. This makes no sense, not least when all the other countries around the Baltic Sea want to build more offshore wind and are progressing well on it," fulminated at the Stockholm cabinet Giles Dickson, WindEurope 's CEO. He went on by saying, "Sweden already has an extremely cumbersome approach to offshore wind development and the Government has been unwilling to provide financial support to offshore wind for years. But after yesterday's [4 November 2024] cancellations completely undermine investment security. Investors will now think twice before developing offshore wind in Sweden, particularly when neighbouring countries offer better and more reliable approaches to offshore wind development." WindEurope furthered in a press brief, "The military in Sweden has been blocking offshore wind projects for years. This has been a major issue and the Government has not done enough to moderate this conflict. The seven other Governments around the Baltic Sea have chosen a totally different approach. They have established joint formats between the offshore wind industry and the military to enhance understanding and exchange and to develop solutions that work for both partners. Their militaries are embracing these collaborations." Dickson warned, "European Governments mustn't fall for the Russian intimidation and interference with energy policies. Offshore wind means more energy security and less dependence on Russian energy imports. Russia wants the EU's successful transition to cheap and local renewables to fail. But let's be clear: offshore wind can coexist happily with military activity."

Meanwhile, at the beginning of June 2024, Baltic Towers, a co-op between the Polish Industrial Development Agency and the Spanish GRI Renewable Industries, laid the foundation stone for the 150 OWE towers/year production plant on the Ostrów Island in Gdańsk. The factory, putting together towers for 15MW (and stronger) turbines, is expected to come online in Q2 2025. It will provide 500 highly specialised jobs.

In the middle of the month, Siemens Gamesa shared it'll receive DKK162.2 million (around €27.4 million) from the Danish Green Investment Fund to expand its blade factory in the Port of Aalborg 's East Harbour. The Aalborg City Council already completed the local development plan according to which Siemens Gamesa's premises in the Danish seaport will grow by 400 thousand square metres for storing blades for the wind energy industry.

In late October 2024, Vattenfall and the Port of Kaskinen partnered to investigate the Finnish seaport's suitability in the development of OWE projects of the Swedish multinational power company off Finland's coast. "Signing this memorandum of understanding with the Port of Kaskinen is an important step for the Korsnäs project [1,400MW of capacity], as it outlines the potential collaboration between the project and the port. This includes the potential use of the port for the logistics and construction of the wind farm, as well as the operation and maintenance of the wind turbines," highlighted Klaus Nissen, Project Director at Vattenfall. Patrik Hellman, the Port of Kaskinen's CEO, added, "We are glad to be able to sign this MoU with Vattenfall. The Korsnäs wind farm is very close to Kaskinen and therefore we see it as a very important step to collaborate with Vattenfall. It will enable us to proceed with the planning for offshore wind farm projects in all directions with stakeholders and co-operatives. Such a project like Korsnäs will be a major positive impact for the region and the port and would create hundreds of new job opportunities."

In early November 2024, MT Højgaard Danmark completed adding 100 thousand square metres of port areas that the Port of Rønne will use to execute OWE projects. "With the completion of stage 3, we have taken an important step in strengthening the supply to Bornholm, also ensuring that we can continue the growth of shipping of offshore wind from Bornholm by now being able to handle two simultaneous projects," underscored the Port of Rønne's Managing Director, Lars Nordahl. The Danish seaport also underlined in a press brief that MT Højgaard Danmark spent some DKK60 million (€8.05 million) on local subcontractors as part of the construction project. Rønne's other future-fitting plans include extending the seaport's outer harbour, setting up a larger turning basin, erecting a new multi-purpose quay, and deepening the inner parts of the port.

Also that month, the government of Latvia approved a €64.5 million investment to develop 30 hectares within the Port of Riga's Kundziņsala into a production hub for the (off- and onshore) wind energy industry. The port authority added that €40m of private, clean tech investments are expected by 2029.

The Helsinki-headquartered Norsepower, a manufacturer of auxiliary wind propulsion rotors, won a few new deals last year. First, in February, the Lübeck-based Oldendorff Carriers decided they'd retrofit their 2020-built post-Panamax bulk carrier Dietrich Oldendorff with three 24-metre-tall and 4.0-metre-in-diameter Rotor Sails of Norsepower. Fast forward to late November and the installation was done & dusted (alongside renaming the carrier as Chinook Oldendorff – as a homage to the natural wind patterns in the Pacific Northwest; the word "Chinook" originates from the First Nations people of the Pacific Northwest, referring to a type of wind with coastal and inland variations, with Chinook Oldendorff carrying Elk Valley Resources' steel-making coal from the Port of Vancouver to customers across the Pacific Ocean). The three rotors are expected to reduce the vessel's fuel consumption by about 10-15%. "The collaboration with Elk Valley Resources on this project exemplifies how partnerships can drive meaningful progress. Chinook Oldendorff reflects our commitment to deliver practical environment conscious solutions that align with our clients' needs and our long-term sustainability goals," commented Russ McNeil, Managing Director of Oldendorff Vancouver.

Also in February of 2024, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA), the French shipowner working on a fleet to be chartered by Airbus, will see these con-ros equipped with Norsepower 's Rotor Sails. Each of the three dual-fuel (e-methanol) freighters will be outfitted with six 35-metre-tall sails. Additionally, LDA's Rotor Sails will feature the brand-new patented Norsepower Sentient Control™, a real-time force measurement, control, and savings reporting system. It will allow controlling the rotors individually. Norsepower explained in a press brief,

"This optimises efficiency by managing the complex aerodynamic interactions between the sails and the hydrodynamic behaviour of the vessel. Extensive computational fluid dynamics [ ] and wind tunnel tests have been carried out during the design phase to optimise the sail arrangement and design." Also, routing software will optimise the vessels' journey across the Atlantic, maximising wind propulsion and avoiding drag caused by adverse ocean conditions. Estimations say that the new con-ros will halve the carbon footprint of LDA-Airbus' Transatlantic voyages by 2030 vs 2023 levels (from 68 to 33 thousand tonnes/year). The vessels – designed by the Turku-headquartered Deltamarin, constructed by the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group, and owned and operated by LDA – are expected to set sail in 2026. They will offer a carrying capacity of around 70 forty-foot containers and room for six single-aisle aircraft sub-assembly sets.

Again in February, Norsepower scooped another order, this time for Baltrader 's under-construction in China cement carrier. The 24x4.0 gear will reduce CEMCOMMANDER 's fuel consumption by up to 14%. The investment is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport through its Sustainable Modernisation of Coastal Vessels funding directive. Bureau Veritas (BV) will classify the wind propulsion system, with the ship getting the Wind Propulsion 2 (WP2) class notation.

In June 2024, BHP and Pan Pacific Copper saw the retrofit installation of a 35x5.0 Norsepower Rotor on the combination carrier Koryu (operated by Nippon Marine and JX Advanced Metals, and carrying copper concentrates from Chile to Japan and sulphuric acid on the backhaul). Koryu's sail has a tilting foundation that allows it to be lowered down to facilitate cargo loading and discharge operations at ports. The equipment is estimated to provide 5-6% fuel saving

Also in June, Norsepower closed a deal with Union Maritime Limited (UML) to furnish the latter's fleet of new product tankers with Rotor Sails: each of the four 18,500-deadweight newbuilds, to be constructed in China by Fujian Southeast Shipbuilding and Wuhu Shipyard, will receive two sails. A further eight vessels will be rotor sail-ready. WP2-classified by BV, the deal with UML marked the second order supplied according to BV rules and the first according to the classification society's brand-new rules for wind propulsion systems (2024 BV NR206). What is more, the deal also signified the serialization of the construction of Norsepower's Rotor Sails with a diameter of four meters, fully manufactured and assembled at the company's new Factory #002 in the Chinese Dafeng (officially launched in late November 2024, with the initial yearly capacity of 50 units, potentially up to 100 by end-2027).

In August 2024, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and VALE International shared that their Capesize bulk carrier was successfully retrofitted with two 35x5.0 Rotor Sails from Norsepower. The vessel is expected to achieve about 6-10% fuel and greenhouse gas emission reductions while plying between Brazil and the Far East (combined with voyage optimisation technology).

Lastly, on 20 November 2024, Norsepower shared that IINO LINES saw the installation of two 20x4.0 sails on their Oceanus Aurora. This very large gas carrier sails for Borealis between Houston and Stenungsund/Porvoo, with Norsepower calculating that its Rotor Sail technology will cut the vessel's fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by approximately 4% when sailing between the Baltic and the Gulf of Mexico. Oceanus Aurora, a dual-fuel liquefied petroleum gas ship, was delivered in March 2023 by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering with the foundations for the Rotor Sails already in place.

Then again, the Copenhagen-based Maersk Tankers shared in November 2024 that it selected the wind-assisted propulsion system developed by bound4blue, a tech company from Barcelona, to be installed on five of its vessels. Maersk Tacoma, Maersk Tampa, Maersk Tangier, Maersk Teesport, and Maersk Tokyo will see the installation of altogether 20 eSAIL® 26-metre-tall suction sails during their dry docking in 2025-26. The eSAIL® system is automated, adjusting the sails to the wind conditions for optimal performance. Njord (also from Copenhagen), appointed by Maersk Tankers as their green transition partner for the project, managed the design and technology selection process end-to-end and will lead the integration and installation of the systems, while also validating the savings. "Maersk Tankers expect double-digit percentage reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per vessel," said the owner-operator of a fleet of 240+ tankers and gas carriers in a press release. The order is bound4blue's biggest to date, with its eSAIL® system set up on four vessels till the autumn of last year.

// Future fuels //

At the beginning of 2024, Gasum and Nordic Ren-Gas signed an e-methane offtake agreement, according to which the former will buy the entire output of the latter's Tampere Power-to-Gas plant (set for launch in 2026). The facility (developed, built, and operated by Nordic Ren-Gas) will produce 160GWh/year of e-methane (some 35 thousand tonnes) by using renewable electricity from Finnish wind energy farms and biogenic CO2 captured from existing power plants (110 thousand tonnes). The Tampere plant will be located next to the existing Tammervoima waste incineration plant (operated by Tampere Energia), from which CO2 will be captured from the flue gas. In addition, excess process heat from production will be provided to the Tampere district heating network (600GWh/year).

"In the power-to-gas process, hydrogen is first produced [18 thousand tonnes/year] using renewable electricity and water. The hydrogen is then further processed into e-methane by combining the hydrogen with biogenic carbon dioxide. E-methane produced in this way is fully renewable and will replace fossil fuel usage in transportation, maritime and industrial sectors," Gasum detailed in a press release. "This partnership is a massive game changer with the possibility to expand the availability of renewable gas at an industrial scale. Gasum aims to become a significant player in the e-methane market, and this is the first step on that path. The e-methane produced by Nordic Ren-Gas is a competitive renewable fuel, which can be efficiently distributed through our existing infrastructure to our customers in the traffic, maritime and industry segments. Nordic Ren-Gas has an impressive pipeline of similar projects on the way – this is a strategically important partnership for us," added Mika Wiljanen, CEO of the Gasum Group (which intends to bring 7.0TWh/year of renewable gas onto the market by 2027, making it possible for its clients to reduce their CO2 emissions by a cumulative 1.8 million tonnes).

Also in January last year, the Estonian State Fleet entrusted the also coming from Estonia Baltic Workboats (BWB) with designing and constructing a new multipurpose ship. The €22 million contract, supported by NextGenerationEU, will see BWB delivering the 40 by 10 metres, max speed of 12 knots vessel in 2026 (exact parameters of the workboat will be determined during the detail design process). "The multi-purpose vessel will be Estonia's first 100% alternatively fuelled workboat that will use sustainable biomethane as the main fuel, thanks to which it will be possible to minimize the ship's CO2 emissions. In addition, the ship will be equipped with a battery bank that allows the operation of the ship also in 100% electric mode with zero emissions," BWB detailed in a press brief.

In late February 2024, the Aarhus-headquartered feeder & short-sea shipping line Unifeeder secured the long-term charter for another pair of 1,250-TEU-capacity methanol-run carriers. The deal came atop the October 2023 agreement for an identical duo. All four are scheduled for delivery in 2026, with three coming from the German Elbdeich Reederei and the remaining one from the Norwegian MPC Container Ships. Unifeeder will use the box vessels in its decarbonisation plans, reducing its carbon footprint by 25% by 2030 on the company's way towards net zero in 2050. Robert Frese, Managing Director at Elbdeich Reederei, commented (on the first charter deal), "We believe in methanol-capable vessels as part of a suite of solutions being deployed to reduce carbon emissions in our sector and are happy to contribute with this project to a greener future in shipping. We really look forward to operating these modern state-of-the-art container feeder vessels in our partnership with Unifeeder and hope other market participants will follow this example."

Just before February's end, Liquid Wind, Alfa Laval, Carbon Clean, Siemens Energy, and Topsoe inaugurated their Design & Performance Centre (DPC) in Hørsholm. The facility is tasked with driving technological progress, strengthening production capacity, and bringing in-demand e-fuels to market at scale. The DPC's joint research & development department will work on blueprinting ready-to-build e-methanol plants (capacity of producing 100 thousand tonnes per year). Back in November 2023, the parties teamed up to reduce the time, cost, and risk of developing such plants, with plans to get 10 additional e-methanol facilities in the Nordics by 2027 and a total of 80 standardised, 100 thousand tonnes/year capacity e-methanol units by 2030 (estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 14 million tonnes yearly).

That said, FlagshigONE, the first e-methanol plant developed by Liquid Wind (in 2017) and later purchased by Ørsted (at the beginning of 2022) got shelved by the Danish energy company in August 2024. Ørsted shared that the European market for green fuels is developing too slowly and it doesn't believe it'll speed up in the short-to-medium term, meaning that scaling up thus lowering prices won't be possible for the business to become economically attractive. Olivia Breese, CEO of Ørsted in Europe, said to Dagens Logistik, "We have experienced a lack of interest in long-term offtakes at realistic prices and commercial scale, partly due to insufficient regulatory incentives for the offtakes. Without this demand, it is impossible to create value through scale-up and cut costs at the level we need as a large-scale developer."

In the meantime, Liquid Wind is working on other 'Flagships:' the 130 thousand tonnes/year ones in Sundsvall and Umeå, both scheduled to come online in 2027. The company also eyes an e-methanol production plant outside Sweden, in the Finnish Haapavesi, following a letter of intent signed with Kanteleen Voima and Piipsan Tuulivoima in December 2023. Also, in March 2024, Liquid Wind, Umeå Energi, and Wasaline put their pens to a letter of intent that will see the parties exploring the opportunities to fuel the Finnish-Swedish ferry company's Aurora Botnia with e-methanol to be produced by Liquid Wind's FlagshipTHREE facility in Umeå. Peter Ståhlberg, Managing Director of Wasaline, underscored, "Together with Liquid Wind and Umeå Energi, we are investigating the possibilities and challenges in decarbonising our route as part of a green corridor between Vaasa and Umeå. By using eMethanol as one option, we would use electrofuel that is locally produced, which also minimizes the transport distances. We are eager to investigate this option together."

Then, in August 2024, the German energy company Uniper teamed up with Liquid Wind to develop the NorthStarH2 project in the Municipality of Östersund in Central-Northern Sweden. The partnership will see the set-up of an e-methanol production facility that will convert biogenic CO2 (some 160 thousand tonnes/year) and renewable electricity into 100 thousand tonnes of e-fuel/year for the shipping and chemical industries. "We are very pleased to be part of Uniper's NorthStarH2 project. NorthStarH2 shows clearly that Sweden continues to drive the green transition with the help of the country's renewable sources, and that e-fuel will play a crucial role in electrifying numerous sectors such as shipping, aviation and chemical industries. This collaboration project, together with Uniper, represents another step forward for Liquid Wind, highlighting the importance of partnership in combination with cutting-edge technology in the fight against global warming," commented Claes Fredriksson, CEO and Founder of Liquid Wind. Earlier in January last year, Uniper also partnered with Jämtkraft, developer of a biomass-fired cogeneration plant in Lugnvik (slated for completion by 2024's end) at which CO2 will be captured for the NorthStarH2 project.

At the start of March last year, it was revealed that the Port of Hirtshals will house a 5.0MW electrolyser facility of Norwegian Hydrogen, set to produce 500 tonnes of hydrogen per year. The decision followed the granting of €9.0 million by Horizon Europe for the five-year CONVEY project, which aims to establish an integrated hydrogen ecosystem at the Danish seaport. Mirela Atanasiu, at that time the acting Executive Director of Clean Hydrogen Partnership, commented, "With its strategic maritime location, CONVEY is an iconic project that integrates local renewable electricity, using the benefits of hydrogen to decarbonise logistics around the port and greening its local economy. I am proud that CONVEY is now part of our family of Hydrogen Valleys, constituting an important piece of the REPowerEU strategy to decarbonise industry, transport and energy sectors across Europe."

Also in March, Scanlog shared it'd provide Löfbergs with fossil-free sea transport. The Swedish logistics company will see the also-from-Sweden coffee maker's shipments carried by vessels using bio-liquefied natural gas (bioLNG) per the mass-balanced approach. This move will reduce Löfbergs' sea freight carbon footprint by 100%. The company, which will pay for bioLNG, imports some 36 thousand tonnes of raw coffee each year. Kajsa-Lisa Ljudén, Head of Sustainability at Löfbergs, commented, "Biogas costs more than fossil fuels, but we think we cannot afford to do otherwise. We have to reduce emissions across the entirety of our value chain. That we are financing the fuel switch 100% means that we see a functioning solution, which will hopefully contribute to others making a change, too." Matilda Jarbin, Scanlog's Chief Sustainability & Communications Officer, added, "Sea transportation has long found itself under the radar. It is, therefore, important that companies like Löfbergs dare to go further, seeing it's possible to reduce emissions here & now. We hope this will inspire other firms, speeding up the necessary transition within the transport sector."

Staying in March, the Port of Gothenburg, Skanska, PowerCell, Hitachi Energy, Linde Gas, Volvo, and Skagerak Energi used Hyflex, a containerised hydrogen fuel cell & battery, for heavy-duty construction needs. The 100kW fuel cell by PowerCell –with green hydrogen provided by Linde Gas and Hitachi Energy supplying the generator to produce electricity from hydrogen – was used on 4-17 March 2024 on the Arendal 2 construction site to run Volvo's excavator. The plug-and-play solution included fuel cell modules, power electronics, cooling, auxiliary systems, and an intelligent control system. Richard Berkling, CEO of the PowerCell Group, highlighted, "Hyflex has the potential to replace diesel generator sets across multiple platforms, as well as take on new power generation applications. The current demonstrator has been developed with construction sites in mind, however, we also recognise the need for marine and port electrification applications, such as sustainable ship-to-shore power." Viktor Allgurén, Innovation Manager at the Port of Gothenburg, added, "In a diverse and energy-intensive operation like a port, there are many areas of use. It can be used as fuel for trucks, trains, or handling equipment in terminals, for propulsion of ships, or to support the power grid when a ship is connected to shore power. So the use of hydrogen fits perfectly into the port context."

Still in March, we saw the signing of an e-methane letter of intent between Electrochaea and Erik Thun. The former, a German provider of tech for synthetic methane production, and the Swedish shipping line entered offtake negotiations, with the talks concerning e-methane production by Electrochaea's Danish subsidiary, BioCAT Roslev, which is working on establishing a power-to-gas facility in the Municipality of Skive. There, renewable wind power will be used to produce green hydrogen that will be mixed with the CO2 from biogas production at Rybjerg Biogas in a bioreactor to produce e-methane using Electrochaea's patented biomethanation technology. Erik Thun plans to use Electrochaea's RFNBO-compliant e-methane to replace liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine bunker. Johan Källsson, Managing Director of Erik Thun, commented, "Walking the path to carbon neutrality poses enormous challenges. At Erik Thun, we are steadfast in our commitment to lead this transition by integrating renewable fuels into our operations. Currently, we are actively exploring different alternatives." He furthered, "For our vessels running on LNG, e-methane is emerging as a cleaner option. We are proud of this collaboration and that we are pioneering the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable e-methane, awaiting to be officially recognized by the [Swedish] government as a cleaner alternative. Our commitment extends to the construction, maintenance and operation of vessels with advanced designs and a minimal carbon footprint. To create sustainable options that can pass a proper life-cycle analysis, much cleaner e-fuels are needed."

In April 2024, a number of Latvian, Norwegian, and Swedish companies formed CIS Liepāja, a joint project management team to scrutinise the set-up of a power-to-x complex in the Port of Liepāja. The Liepāja Special Economic Zone, which as the recognition of our expertise in the production and delivery of green hydrogen to multiple customers over the last two years," said Sara Wihlborg, Country Manager Sweden at the French company. She further underlined, "It is also a proof of us going the right direction in Sweden, and we would like to reiterate our commitment to the Swedish environmental agenda and welcome the fact that Sweden is focusing on the rapid expansion of a hydrogen infrastructure based on renewable energies. This project will contribute towards providing green hydrogen for the mobility sector in the South of Sweden. It will support our objective to increase the penetration of green hydrogen throughout Sweden both for mobility and industry."

In mid-September 2024, Copenhagen Malmö Port shared that its box-handling facility in the Danish capital fully switched to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO100) as well as green electricity to run its quay and yard machinery. The port company started with phasing in HVO100 for operating terminal tractors, empty container handlers, and forklifts. CMP's new hybrid straddle carriers were next, followed by older models. Meanwhile, the terminal's ship-to-shore gantries and work vehicles were already running on electricity sourced from renewables. Switching to HVO100, which will replace some 286 thousand litres of fossil diesel consumed by CMP in Copenhagen annually, will result in reducing CO2e emissions by 640 tonnes/year. Originally, it was planned that the full phasing-in of HVO in Copenhagen would not take place until the commissioning of the new container terminal at Ydre Nordhavn in 2025. "We at CMP are very proud to be able to offer container terminal handling in Copenhagen without the use of fossil fuels – and this more than half a year ahead of the original schedule. This is an integral step in our green transition, as well as our customers' and the entire transport sector's green transition. The container terminal in Copenhagen is absolutely crucial for consumers and companies in the Copenhagen metropolitan area a capital area and Region Zealand as a whole – as it handles the vast majority of containers for the market in the eastern part of Denmark. It is therefore very important for us to have eliminated fossil fuels in our terminal operations and thereby support the phase-out of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels in Copenhagen as well as in Malmö," highlighted Povl Dolleris Røjkjær Ungar, CMP's COO. CMP intends to make its own operations zero-emission by 2025 and climate positive by 2040 (in accordance with the Science Based Targets initiative). "Over the course of 2020-2023, CMP reduced its CO2 emissions in its operations (GHG scope 1+2) by 68%. This corresponds to an annual reduction of 1,477 tonnes of CO2e. In Malmö, HVO100 has already been deployed by CMP, which has reduced CMP's emissions by more than an estimated 840 tonnes CO2e annually," the joint Danish-Swedish port authority said in a press release.

In the middle of September alike, Rohe Solutions, the Finnish subsidiary of the Estonian Alexela, added the liquefaction-from-the-grid process in the terminal in the Port of Hamina, using it to produce (in collaboration with Hamina LNG) bioLNG. "The availability of bioLNG in Finland is currently still limited, as larger-scale biogas production projects are only in their early stages. Liquefaction from the grid is our response to the growing demand for biofuels, especially in the short term," highlighted Sanna Kokkonen, CEO of Rohe Solutions. She furthered, "The potential of bioLNG has been recognised in maritime and road transport, as well as in industry. We see this as the first step towards replacing LNG in Finland and its neighbouring areas with produced bioLNG."

The first batch of bioLNG liquefied at the Hamina LNG terminal was sent to Estonia to Alexela's refuelling stations. Marti Hääl, CEO of Alexela, commented, "We are excited that this long-prepared project that started already in 2017 with development of the Hamina LNG terminal, one of the largest foreign direct investments from Estonia to Finland, has become a reality, and large-scale bioLNG liquefaction can start in the Baltic Sea region. This is another excellent demonstration of the cross-border cooperation and will increase the availability of renewable fuels not only in Finland and Estonia, but throughout Northern Europe."

In October 2024, European Energy inaugurated its first hydrogen-producing facility in Måde, near Esbjerg, with the output delivered to the Port of Esbjerg and an industrial gases company. The Danish Stiesdal supplied the first electrolyser to the plant (which was completed in June last year). "Plans are already in place to expand the facility with two additional electrolysers, of which the next is expected to be installed in 2025. When all three electrolysers are operating, the plant will have a total capacity of 12MW and an expected annual production of 1,500 metric tonnes of hydrogen," European Energy added in a press brief. Excess heat generated from the hydrogen production process is being utilised by DIN Forsyning, a local heating utility. Centrica serves as the facility's balancing and optimisation partner, ensuring that energy usage and hydrogen production are managed to maximise output and minimise costs. "With the start of operations at Måde, we can deliver green hydrogen to the market. This achievement demonstrates that the transformation of our energy systems is not just a distant vision – it's happening right now," highlighted Knud Erik Andersen, CEO of European Energy. The company's EVP and Head of Power-to-X, Emil VikjærAndresen, also said, "This facility is just the beginning. Through the many learnings we have captured by designing, constructing and commissioning the plant, we will be able to reduce cost and time for future plants while improving project economics. And this is pivotal for helping to decarbonise industries that are hard to directly electrify." In the meantime, European Energy also commissioned its Kassø methanol facility (52MW electrolyser provided by Siemens), producing the first green methanol before 2024's closure. Sourcing energy from the Kassø 300MW solar park, the plant has the possibility to produce up to 32 thousand tonnes/year, with offtakes already secured by Maersk, Novo Nordisk, and the LEGO Group.

Speaking of Maersk and methanol, the global container carrier from Copenhagen signed in October last year a long-term offtake agreement with the Chinese LONGi Green Energy Technology for the supply of bio-methanol for the former's growing fleet of dual-fuel vessels. The first batch of the fuel, produced at LONGi's facility in Xu Chang in Central China from residues such as straw and fruit tree cuttings, will be supplied in 2026, with full production expected by end-decade. "It will meet Maersk's methanol sustainability requirements including at least 65% reductions in GHG emissions on a lifecycle basis compared to fossil fuels of 94g CO2e/MJ," the Danish shipping company said in a press release. Back in autumn of 2024, Maersk's combined offtake agreements met over 50% of the dual-fuel methanol fleet's bunker demand in 2027 (seven vessels are already operational, sailing also in the Baltic). "Bio- and e-methanol continues to be the most promising alternative shipping fuels to scale up in this decade, and the agreement with LONGi serves as a testament to this. Global shipping's main net-zero challenge is the price gap between fossil fuels and the alternatives with lower greenhouse gas emissions. We continue to strongly urge the International Maritime Organization's Member States to level the playing field by adopting a global green fuel standard and an ambitious pricing mechanism which the industry urgently needs," Rabab Raafat Boulos, Maersk's COO, stressed. The company's Head of Energy Markets, Emma Mazhari, added, "While we believe that the future of global logistics will see several pathways to net-zero, this agreement underscores the continued momentum for methanol projects that are pursued by ambitious developers across markets. China continues to play a pioneering role, and it is encouraging to also see strong market developments in other geographies as well."

Also in October of last year, EFO, a JV of Swedish energy companies, shared the details of the partnership with the Ystad-based AtoB@C Shipping on reducing the carbon footprint of its sea transports. The initiative involves substituting 10% of the annual fuel consumption of EFO's shipments with renewable alternatives, resulting in a projected 8.5% reduction in lifecycle emissions. The first two voyages were carried out with 100% renewable fuel, seeing AtoB@C Shipping's plug-in hybrid Electramar unloading cargo in the Port of Oxelösund. In addition, the companies agreed to implement virtual arrival (VA) as a standard operational practice to optimise the speed of the vessels when there is a known delay in port. On average, VA reduced emissions in AtoB@C Shipping's traffic by 11% in the voyages it had been applied for.

October also witnessed the opening of a green hydrogen refuelling station in Gothenburg. Operated by Hydri, the 1,500kg of capacity/35 trucks per day station sits next to the Port of Gothenburg's Gate 6, the entrance to the Gothenburg RoRo Terminal (with 400 thousand vehicles/year, one of Sweden's most heavily trafficked roads). The facility, partly founded by the Swedish Energy Agency, is Hydri's first in what will become a network of 20 hydrogen stations across the country in 2024-25. "The large flow of trucks to the port and the possibility to refuel work machinery make the location for this hydrogen refueling station ideal. Combined with several existing charging stations around the port, heavy land transport at the Port of Gothenburg is now fully ready for a transition to both electricity and hydrogen," highlighted Viktor Allgurén, Head of Innovation at the Port of Gothenburg. Michel Thomas, CEO of Qarlbo Energy and Chairman of Hydri's Board, added, "Green hydrogen has great potential to drive the transition of heavy transport. With this refueling station, we are paving the way forward towards a carbon-neutral transport sector."

In mid-November 2024, JetGas signed an agreement with the Port of Tallinn for setting up a liquefied methane facility in the Muuga Harbour. Upon final completion by 2030, the terminal – covering some 7,000 square metres in the eastern part of Muuga – will feature up to five storage tanks and a quay-connecting pipe. The first tank is expected to be erected by end-2027. The Port of Tallinn and JetGas signed the terminal deal for 30 years. "The construction of the liquefied methane terminal is the result of a tender process initiated last spring, the aim of which was to find new operators for vacant areas of the Muuga Harbour. The new terminal and cooperation with JetGas, as a long-term player in the energy products market, will bring us additional vessel calls and cargo volumes, and will create opportunities for the transport sector when switching to more environmentally friendly fuels," highlighted Valdo Kalm, Chairman of the Port of Tallinn's Management Board. JetGas' Management Board's Chair, Janek Parkman, added, "The construction of the new liquefied methane terminal in the Muuga Harbour will allow us to obtain primarily bioLNG, but also other methane fuels in larger consignments from the world market, resulting in cheaper prices and better security of supply." Earlier, in late September 2024, the Port of Tallinn signed a memorandum of understanding with the US-based Protio for the production of e-fuels (e-methanol, sustainable aviation fuel, and potentially e-NG) at the Muuga Harbour. Kalm commented on the occasion, "Switching to alternative fuels for ships reduces greenhouse gases (GHGs), improves air quality, and helps protect the marine environment. The goal of the Port of Tallinn is to achieve climate neutrality and zero emissions from ships docked at the port by 2050. Increasing the availability of alternative fuels allows shipping to become more environmentally friendly and reduces the carbon footprint of ports."

Towards the month's end and the Port of Riga announced that PARS Termināl was scrutinising the construction of a production plant in the Latvian capital seaport, set to supply 93 thousand tonnes of hydrotreated vegetable oil and 87kt of sustainable aviation fuel per year. The €120-million investment, the completion of which is estimated to take 20 months, will be located in Kundziņsala in the Port of Riga. It will have the capacity to process 236 thousand tonnes/ year of feedstock (mainly vegetable oils).

"The new plant is a step in the modernisation of our business. With Ukrainian partners, we will ensure economic independence from foreign supplies, thus shortening logistics chains and obtaining high value added products that are currently only imported in the Baltics. This would also benefit our aviation sector, and the Latvian national airline AirBaltic would be a direct beneficiary, with immediate, significant economic benefits, especially looking beyond 2030, when at least 20% of aviation fuel will have to be renewable," Armands Sadauskis, Owner of PARS Termināl, commented. Latvia's Minister for Climate and Energy, Kaspars Melnis, also said, "Sustainable thinking, by creating a new, long-term demand renewable fuel production facility in the Freeport of Riga, is an economically forward-looking way to increase Latvia's influence as a sustainable energy producer in the Baltics in the context of declining transit cargo volumes in the region. The renewable fuel plant will strengthen energy independence, create 120 highly skilled jobs, while providing Latvian farmers with stable demand for energy-intensive crops and helping Latvia to meet its climate neutrality goals." Ansis Zeltiņš, the Port of Riga's CEO, highlighted, "The implementation of industrial projects, especially in the segment of green energy production, which has high added value and high demand, is one of the cornerstones of the future development of the Port of Riga. The PARS Termināl project is an excellent example of how the Port of Riga can become a modern and sustainable platform for industrial projects."

At the beginning of December last year, the Copenhagen-headquartered ferry company Scandlines partnered with the engine manufacturer Caterpillar Motoren to scrutinise the conversion of the MaK diesel units of the Gedser-Rostock hybrid ferries to run on green methanol. To that end, Caterpillar Motoren said it would provide a test engine in its workshop by 2025. If Scandlines concludes that it meets the expectations and fulfils the conditions, then the first ferry diesel engine could be converted in 2027. Scandlines committed itself to zero direct emission ferry operations by 2040. The Berlin and Copenhagen diesel vessels that serve the service in question are also equipped with batteries (1.5MWh systems from Corvus Energy) and rotor sails (supplied by Norsepower).

In mid-December 2024, the Swedish energy infrastructure company Nordion Energi and the Finnish energy company St1 teamed up for the set-up of a liquefaction terminal for bioLNG in the Port of Gothenburg. The facility of 250GWh of biogas liquefaction capacity will be directly connected to the West Swedish gas network. For clients outside the grid, liquefied biogas will be temporarily stored in a tank before onward delivery, either by truck or by pipeline for direct ship bunkering. St1 already reserved a portion of the capacity; the company also shared that it plans to sell 6.0TWh of biogas till 2030. "This is a great opportunity to reach out with biogas to ships, road transport and also industries that are not directly connected to the gas grid. For us, it is important to bring St1 – a player that invests heavily in biogas and is serious about the energy transition. Through the collaboration, we are taking a new step towards enabling more people to gain access to biogas," Carolina Wistén, Marketing Manager at Nordion Energi, commented. Matti Oksanen, Director of Gas Business at St1, added, "Biogas is an important part of our energy transition, and we are investing heavily in the expansion of both the production and distribution of liquid biogas. Collaborations with players such as Nordion Energi give us the opportunity to expand our production and sales of biogas and are an important enabler for supplying, among other things, the transport sector with locally produced LBG."

// Green Corridors //

At the beginning of February 2024, the ports of Stockholm and Turku, alongside Viking Line, signed an agreement to make the crossing between them fossil-free by 2035 at the latest. The partnership will act as an innovative platform to develop scalable solutions for phasing out fossil fuels. The initiative will also leverage the advances and solutions from the Decatrip project, a collaboration between Rauma Marine Constructions, Viking Line, Åbo Akademi University, and Kempower. Clara Lindblom, City Council responsible for the Ports of Stockholm, said, "Climate change is happening here and now. It is more important than ever to take tangible steps towards a green transition. We know that more transport by rail or sea is needed rather than by road and air. Green shipping plays a major role in climate transition measures in the transport sector." Jan Hanses, Viking Line's CEO, also underlined, "Viking Line is a shipping company that has its roots in the vulnerable archipelago. That means that for us, the work of protecting and preserving the Baltic Sea is part of our DNA. We strive to be an ambitious role model in the industry and are proud of taking this step together with the Ports of Stockholm and the Port of Turku to come closer to achieving fossil fuelfree cruises and transport in this important shipping fairway between Sweden, the Åland Islands, and Finland." Erik Söderholm, the Port of Turku's CEO, added, "Environmental work has always been a focus of our business operations. The Port of Turku nestles within a very vulnerable archipelago. This gives us the responsibility of respecting our surroundings at all times in our daily activities. In 2023, we signed Turku's Climate City Contract, which has the goal of the city being carbon neutral by 2029. This is a goal we are working systematically to achieve and is why this memorandum to develop a green transport corridor between Turku and Stockholm is a natural step for us." The Stockholm-Turku Green Corridor – 'green' as per the Clydebank Declaration, of which Finland and Sweden are signatories – is open to onboarding other stakeholders from the shipping and port industries, as well as cargo owners, freight forwarders, etc.

In the middle of the following month, the ports of Lübeck and Trelleborg, the port operator LHG, and the ferry company TT-Line partnered to make the crossing fossil fuelfree by 2040 at the latest. The parties underlined in a press release, "The cooperation will not only serve as an innovative platform and exchange of information, but the aim of all partners is to decarbonize transport in the partners' direct sphere of influence as well as to influence the entire transport chain of the goods in question. Specific projects and activities are to be developed jointly, among other things." The first initiative across the Lübeck-Trelleborg Green Shipping Corridor will see the set-up of additional onshore power supply connections in both seaports. At the same time, TT-Line will retrofit four of its ferries with cold ironing connectors. Hannes Conzen, TT-Line's CEO, commented, "This initiative is a logical necessity in times of climate targets. This approach must be extended to the entire transport chain in the future. The Port of Lübeck, the Lübeck-Trelleborg sea route, and the Port of Trelleborg are the first important steps in this direction." Guido Kaschel, Head of Division at the Lübeck Port Authority, added, "By taking a holistic view, we are taking the right step towards climate-neutral transportation on the Baltic Sea. It also continues the city's activities for a transport turnaround in the hinterland through maritime transport."

At the beginning of April last year, X-Press Feeders and six North European ports –Antwerp-Bruges, HaminaKotka, Helsinki, Klaipėda, Riga, and Tallinn – joined forces to establish two North Sea-Baltic green (methanol) corridors. Following the agreement, X-Press Feeders is, as of Q3 2024, running two sea container routes powered by green methanol. The Green Baltic X-PRESS (GBX) loop connects the ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Klaipėda, and Riga. The Green Finland X-PRESS (GFX) service links Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Helsinki, Tallinn, and HaminaKotka. X-Press Feeders' green methanol, made from green hydrogen and the decomposition of organic matter (waste and residues), is sourced from the fuel supplier OCI Global. The company's green methanol is certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Association. X-Press Feeders says that green methanol as an alternative marine fuel produces at least 60% less GHG emissions vs conventional bunker. Additionally, the parties will work together to further develop infrastructure for the provision and bunkering of alternative fuels; encourage the development of supply chains for fuels that are zero or near-zero in terms of GHG emissions; provide further training programmes for port workers and seafarers with regards to the handling of alternative fuels; leverage digital platforms to enhance port call optimization; as well as hold regular meetings to update and discuss progress on actions to continue developing green shipping corridors. "By working together – X-Press Feeders and the six partner ports – aim to efficiently implement green shipping corridors and lead the maritime industry in sustainability. We chose the Nordic and Baltic states as the first markets to deploy our green methanol powered vessels because we found the ports and our customers in these markets to be very receptive," underlined Francis Goh, X-Press Feeders' COO. Margus Vihman, Commercial Manager at the Port of Tallinn, also commented, "Making the maritime sector more sustainable and reducing its environmental footprint is a priority for all stakeholders in our industry. It is extremely welcoming that the first tangible steps – towards greater sustainability in our industry – addresses fuel consumption. The Port of Tallinn was one of the fastest ports in Europe to digitalize, and soon we can say the same about the introduction of new types of fuel." Vesa Marttinen, the Port of Helsinki's Vice President Cargo, shared, "We are humble and proud to be a chosen destination for methanol-driven container ship from summer 2024 onwards. This is a very important milestone for the Carbon-Neutral Port of Helsinki Manifestation. The only possible way to achieve significantly reduced cargo owners' scope 3 emissions from maritime transportation comes with shipping companies like X-Press Feeders taking the tangible steps." Timo Rosendahl, Director of Traffic Operations at the Port of HaminaKotka, also said, "The Port of HaminaKotka is committed to promoting environmentally friendly practices in maritime transport by signing this memorandum of understanding aimed at accelerating the establishment of green shipping corridors in Europe. This initiative is a step towards a more sustainable future and more environmentally responsible shipping. We strongly believe that joint actions play a key role in our efforts to reduce the environmental impact of shipping."

In mid-June 2024, the two Belgian ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge became part of the Belgium-Sweden Green Corridor, launched in 2022 by DFDS, North Sea Port, and the Port of Gothenburg. The parties are working on making the 2,500-kilometre-long crossing as environmentally friendly as possible, including the launch of two ammonia-run ro-ros by 2030 (a part of DFDS' ambition to have six low- and near-zero-emission vessels in operation by the end of this decade). E-trucks and rail will serve hinterland traffic, while berthed ships will have the possibility to draw power from the shore. "DFDS has applied for funding for a total of four ammonia-fuelled vessels and, if the funding is granted, the project including electrification in the ports is expected to reduce 328,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions per year corresponding to around 11% of DFDS' scope 1 GHG emissions compared to 2023," the Danish shipping & logistics company highlighted in a press release. "The Port of Antwerp-Bruges fully endorses the efforts of its customers and partners in prioritizing the greening of operations, both at sea and on land. DFDS, an important operator with a daily roll-on/roll-off freight service to Gothenburg, will contribute to our ambition towards climate-neutral transport in, to and through the port. As one of the largest bunker hubs worldwide, the Port of AntwerpBruges is committed to offering climateneutral marine fuels and embraces DFDS' innovative approach of utilizing ammoniapowered ro-ro vessels on the corridor," Luc Arnouts, VP International Networks, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, commented. Patrik Benrick, Head of Strategic Development & Innovation at the Port of Gothenburg, also commented, "The Port of Gothenburg is already in the early stages of developing operating regulations for a safe and efficient handling and bunkering of ammonia-propelled vessels. We are also working on establishing an ammonia value chain, with the purpose of being able to facilitate everything needed for ammonia-propelled vessels calling and bunkering in the port on a regular basis in 2030 and beyond." Jacob Andersen, Vice President, North Sea, DFDS, said, "This is a testament to our ambitions and commitment to play an active role in the green transition. We expect this to be the world's first green corridor for ro-ro cargo vessels running on near-zero emission ammonia fuel. This transition will not be possible without collaboration. We are working together with more than 50 partners to realise this project, which will contribute to a more sustainable future for European shipping, and the ports are a key part of this." Daan Schalck, North Sea Port's CEO, summed up, "I am very happy to see our original initiative develop into a wider network and I'm committed to build further on our collaborative experience. The Belgian-Swedish Green Corridor is an important milestone towards decarbonizing the logistics sector and delivering on European resilience. It goes beyond the typical high-level language and includes concrete pledges on which we, as a port together with our clients and stakeholders, want to deliver."

The next month saw the cities of Liepāja and Lübeck and their seaports team up to make the crossing between them more environmentally friendly. The parties said they would work on decreasing the footprint of the ports' own operations and consumption, provide means for ship, road and rail port users to green their activities, as well as invest in infrastructure and equipment to handle larger vessels. "The letter of intent with the city and the Port of Lübeck is yet another step for Liepāja on its way to become an increasingly greener and more environmentally friendly city, which goes hand in hand with the European Green Deal goals to create sustainable industry and transport. The sea route connecting Liepāja and Lübeck has historically been an important waterway, which we are now committed to develop also as an environmentally friendly shipping corridor to ensure supply chains throughout Europe," said Gunārs Ansiņš, Chairperson of the Liepāja City Council. Uldis Hmieļevskis, CEO of the Liepāja Special Economic Zone (the body managing the Latvian port), added, "Shipments by sea are greener and environmentally friendlier. We are pleased that the ferry line [of Stena Line] has been operating successfully with positive dynamics; however, we still see many trucks on the road. This letter of intent is to a large extent on our mutual cooperation in future to increase the amount of cargoes on the ferry line and to accommodate larger ships in future. To achieve such goals, we need to proceed with major reconstruction of the Ferry Berth No. 46 in the Port of Liepāja, specifically taking into consideration that in recent years the amount of cargoes transported on the ferry line has already increased significantly." Hmieļevskis also underlined, "The operation of the ferry terminal is a good example on how, by investing in the infrastructure development, both public and private funds can increase the cargo turnover. No less important is the already established synergy of the port and industrial manufacturing companies, as well as the close cooperation between business, the Liepāja SEZ Authority, the state and local government institutions. 

// Electricity //

At the beginning of 2024, the Port of Helsingborg got hold of its Kalmar 587kWh battery-capacity reachstacker. The cargo handling gear, rolling on Continental tyres, can stack containers up to five high. The loading capacity is 45, 32, and 16 tonnes for the first, second, and third row, respectively. The e-reachstacker joined the Swedish seaport's four all-electric terminal tractors from Terberg Bart Steijaert, the Port of Helsingborg's CEO, highlighted, "An important part of our sustainability work is the development of climate-neutral, electrified port operations. We aim to have 75% of our work machines running on electricity by 2026, which is a demanding target within our ambition of being the most modern port in the Nordics." The deal with Kalmar also included supporting the port's mechanics with training. Eric Wass, member of the sales team with Kalmar Sweden, commented, "With our electric reachstacker, we offer the industry performance and productivity while reducing the carbon footprint. We are proud to deliver Sweden's first 100% electric reachstacker and would like to congratulate the Port of Helsingborg for leading the way."

At the turn of the year, Kalmar also shared that the Norwegian-Swedish shipowner Wallenius Wilhelmsen ordered four heavy forklift trucks and two reachstackers, all of them electric (as well as three heavy terminal tractors for the company's US operations). Svante Alverönn, Vice President, Global Service Solutions, Kalmar, underscored, "We are extremely proud that Wallenius Wilhelmsen has chosen Kalmar equipment as part of its fleet renewal programme in the US. This order is another clear demonstration of the rapidly rising demand for robust fully electric equipment that is capable of moving heavy loads, and represents the first sales of our electric reachstacker and heavy electric forklift to a customer in the US."

In mid-March last year, DFDS ordered 100 e-trucks from Volvo of the FH Electric and FM Electric models, upping its heavyduty electric truck fleet to 230. At the time of the purchase, the Danish shipping & logistics company was already running 95 e-trucks across Belgium, Denmark, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Sweden (plus awaited the delivery of 35 from the previous e-order). The newest batch will be deployed in Ireland, Norway, and the UK. DFDS plans to have at least 25% of its truck fleet electrified by 2030. Niklas Anderson, EVP, Logistics Division at DFDS, said, "We want to drive the transition to more sustainable road transport. Our expanding fleet of electric trucks will not only contribute to reducing the climate impact of our operations. It will also enable DFDS to support more companies that are looking to decarbonise their supply chains. The 100 new electric trucks underline our commitment to pushing the development forward." Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks, added, "I am very proud to continue our close partnership with DFDS. This order for an additional 100 Volvo electric trucks is proof of their trust in our company. The big increase in DFDS' electric truck fleet shows that zero-emissions transport is a viable solution here and now."

Fast forward to August and another Danish transport & logistics firm bought Volvo e-trucks. DSV will see the supply of 300 electric trucks from the Swedish manufacturer, including the Volvo FH Aero Electric with improved aerodynamics (the agreement also includes 500 Volvo trucks with fuel-efficient diesel and gas drive lines). All trucks are expected to be delivered between 2024 and 2026. DSV plans to run a fleet of 2,000 e-trucks by 2030. The company already runs Volvo electric trucks in Denmark and Sweden, having established charging stations in its distribution centres in Horsens and Landskrona (with electricity coming from photovoltaics). DSV has set a near-term goal to reduce scope 1 & 2 emissions by 50% and scope 3 ones by 30% in 2030 vs the 2019-baseline. The company intends to become net-zero by mid-century. Søren Schmidt, CEO, DSV Road, commented on the order, "Close collaboration across sectors provides an opportunity for DSV to be a key enabler for decarbonisation in the industry. We are happy to extend our partnership with Volvo in our joint effort to reduce emissions in the transport industry. As a global leader in logistics, we strive to stay at the forefront of the green transition and this agreement is a fantastic example of how new technologies can be brought to market at scale to make them more accessible for our customers. The deal with Volvo is an important step towards enabling a more sustainable future in trucking."

In April 2024, Vänerhamn, a Swedish port company that manages five harbours on Vänern (the EU's largest lake), said it would install 1,000 square metres of photovoltaics (PV) in Otterbäcken. In December, the system was ready for connecting, expected to generate 181 thousand kWh/year. Should the Port of Otterbäcken use all the energy produced by the new installation, it would cover 40% of its yearly electricity needs. Since 2020, there has already been another PV system up & running in Vänerhamn's Karlstad, having generated 850 thousand kWh till the spring of last year.

In May of last year, the ferry line Öresundslinjen, a subsidiary of the Danish Molslinjen, said it would retrofit Hamlet operating across the HelsingørHelsingborg crossing to sail on battery power instead of fossil bunker. The Swedish Echandia will deliver the battery system, scheduled to take place in H1 2025. It will be tailored for a minimum lifespan of 10 years without requiring battery replacement. Recharging will take 11 minutes on average. Hamlet makes some 8,000 trips annually. It will be Öresundslinjen's third ferry running on electricity after Tycho Brahe and Aurora (both have 4.16MWh systems). Echandia will also supply two other battery packs for other of Molslinjen's daughter companies' ferries: Nerthus will get 3.1MW for serving the Fynshav-Bøjden route, while Tyrfing 3.8MW for the longer Ballen-Kalundborg link.

In mid-July 2024, the ports of Helsinki and Tallinn yet again secured financial backing from the EU, this time some €15.4 million for, among others, reducing emissions from shipping in their cargo harbours. The total budget of TWIN-PORT VI amounts to €30.8m, of which Tallinn will contribute €20.3m and Helsinki €10.5m. The EU-supported investments will include onshore power supply facilities in Tallinn's Muuga and Helsinki's Vuosaari harbours. At the same time, the Port of Kemi also secured EU backing. The Finnish seaport will receive money from the EU's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) within the 23-FI-TG-Arctic SSE project to set up an onshore power supply facility on the new autumn 2023-opened quay. Once the investment is up & running, two ships will be able to draw power from the shore concurrently.

On 17 September 2024, TUI Cruises' Mein Schiff 7 was the first to draw power from what Sweden's capital port calls the country's first high-voltage onshore power supply facility set up specifically for international cruise ships. "The inauguration of Sweden's first onshore power connection for cruise ships is an important milestone in creating a premium destination for sustainable cruise traffic, both in Stockholm and throughout the Baltic Sea region. Cruise ships can now connect to electricity from the quayside, greatly reducing their impact on the environment," commented Jens Holm, Chair of the Board of the Ports of Stockholm. According to the port company, at least 45% of cruise ships calling to the Swedish capital can now draw power from the shore, with the electricity used being 100% green. Together with three other Baltic seaports – CopenhagenMalmö, Aarhus, and Helsinki – the Ports of Stockholm received EU funding for OPS investments, with one of Stockholm's facilities also securing support from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leap initiative. The Ports of Stockholm aim to reduce shipping emissions in its port areas to zero by 2040.

In late October 2024, WT Terminal, operating in the Port of Riga, commissioned a PV installation that comprises 480 panels with a total capacity of 220.8kW. "One of the WT Terminal business areas is the processing of sawn timber – drying, sorting, packaging. These are quite energy-intensive processes, so self-generated energy definitely makes our company more cost-efficient and less dependent on fluctuations in the electricity market," underlined Andis Bunkšis, the company's Board Member. He furthered, "Now it is clear that both financial institutions and our customers are taking an active interest in the sustainability performance of the company and are redirecting freight flows to green transport corridors. That is why we have started to structure our business according to sustainability principles and are working hard to ensure that the company has a common vision for sustainable development." Bunkšis also announced, "Next year [2025], an innovative, electricity-powered hydraulic crane will be installed on the terminal's berths. A new transformer substation has been built to ensure the operation of the electric crane and three berths have been equipped with a power supply. Thus, the company will be provided with a single green infrastructure facility that will increase the terminal's performance and energy efficiency, while reducing harmful emissions and environmental impact." The two other PVs in the Port of Riga are the 4.61MW system of Kronospan Riga and the 0.875MW of Baltic Container Terminal. Riga Universal Terminal is also working on its 250kW installation.

At the start of November last year, the Ports of Halland, with the help of Bravida and Halmstads Energi och Miljö, set up a high-voltage transformer station to create sufficient charging capacity to electrify the machinery fleet of the Port of Halmstad 's container terminal. "With the new charging infrastructure we are taking an enormous leap towards our vision of electrifying the terminal's whole machine park. This investment is instrumental in reducing our carbon footprint and creating a more sustainable port environment in Halmstad," underlined Jimmy Eklöf, Technical Manager, the Ports of Halland. The Port of Halmstad also saw the deployment of an electric reachstacker, manufactured by Kalmar. The 587kWh cargo handling equipment is Sweden's second. "Our employees took part in selecting the e-machine, with their insights proving invaluable. Their engagement ensured that we received a piece of equipment that fits our work needs and strengthens our working environment," said Eklöf.

Also in November, the EU.OPS.Network got EU funds. The joint project of the ports of Aarhus, Bremerhaven, Gothenburg, and Stockholm received €18.8 million from CEF for the set-up of cold ironing infrastructure for container ships. "The project is a direct response to the new EU regulations that will come into effect in 2030, requiring ships over 5,000 gross tonnage to connect to onshore power [OPS] while moored. Through OPS, container ships will be able to use electricity from the grid instead of generating their own power on board using diesel engines. This resulting in a reduced climate footprint, cleaner local environments, and improved working conditions in the ports," the parties said in a press brief. Anne Zachariassen, EU.OPS.Network's Project Coordinator and the Port of Aarhus' COO, added, "We are very pleased that the European Commission and the CEF Committee recognize our high ambitions for the green transition. As some of Northern Europe's most important ports, it's fantastic that we can collaborate to reduce the shipping industry's climate footprint, which is a global challenge we face together. OPS for container ships is a crucial part for all the ports involved." Julia Christensson, Grants Manager at the Port of Gothenburg, detailed, "Through this project, the Port of Gothenburg will be able to build a high-voltage substation at the container terminal, which is a crucial part of the infrastructure needed to offer OPS to container ships. It is an investment of about €20 million, with nearly half of the funding coming from the project." Her port estimates that by cold ironing in Gothenburg container carriers can spare the environment some 5,600 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

In the middle of December 2024, the Port of Kalundborg shared that its OPS station, supplied by PowerCon, was commissioned in its East Harbour. The facility has enough capacity to provide electricity to three ships simultaneously. The Danish seaport said that up to 40% of vessels visiting it annually can connect to the new OPS installation, meaning that 28 ships can turn off their auxiliary engines when visiting Kalundborg. The Port of Kalundborg also underlined the role of the low electricity tax of 0.4 øre/kWh to incentivise shipping lines to draw power from the shore, a scheme that will run till 17 June 2027. "With our new plant, we can better meet the increasing demand for shore power, which we expect towards 2030 in line with EU requirements. This supports our ambition to be at the forefront of the green transition and to create value for our customers," commented Bent Rasmussen, the Port of Kalundborg's Managing Director. Jacob Bjarkam, Head of Sales at PowerCon, added, "From PowerCon's side, we are incredibly proud to have delivered the shore power system to the Port of Kalundborg and thus contributed to the green transition. We would like to thank the team from the Port of Kalundborg for good cooperation and praise them for showing the way towards a more sustainable future."

// Carbon //

Year 2024 set in motion in the area of all-things-carbon with the Just Transition Fund supporting the establishment of a CO2 storage and shipment hub in the Port of Hirtshals with DKK109m (€14.6 million). The facility could be up and running in 2025/2026, with an initial capacity for handling 0.5 million tonnes per year for permanent storage in empty oil & gas fields in the Greensand area of the Danish part of the North Sea. If provided with a pipeline for transporting CO2 to the Port of Hirtshals, the carbon capture, utilisation and storage project of Greenport Scandinavia would be able to take care of 3.0 million tonnes/ year of CO2 in 2029, up to beyond 15 million tonnes/year in the early 2030s should the Danish and European infrastructure be integrated. "We are naturally pleased that the Just Transition Fund prioritises supporting the ambitious project, which aims to make the Port of Hirtshals one of the most important focal points for the storage and shipment of CO2 in Europe. The support means that we can, among other things, start establishing the facilities needed. We see the support as evidence that we are working on a unique project that can contribute to solving the enormous climate challenges facing the world," Per Holm Nørgaard, the Port of Hirtshals' CEO, commented. Søren Smalbro, Mayor of the Hjørring Municipality and Vice-Chairman of the Port of Hirtshals' Board, also underlined, "There is no doubt that the establishment of a CO2 hub at the port is of great importance – not only for Hirtshals but also for the Hjørring Municipality and the rest of Northern Jutland. The CO2 hub plays a central role in the economic development of the Hjørring Municipality and will undoubtedly create new jobs in our area in connection with the construction and operation of facilities at the port. In addition, the Port of Hirtshals will attract new companies working on the green transition in the coming years, creating even more jobs."

In mid-July 2024, the City of Pori and the Port of Pori commissioned Wega to conduct a preliminary study on the construction of an import/export terminal for handling liquid carbon dioxide. "The CO2 terminal acts as a decisive catalyst in the construction of electric fuel and hydrogen production facilities in Pori. This is also supported by the region's strong energy infrastructure and renewable energy production capacities that are either already under construction or on the drawing board, ensuring Pori's position as a pioneer in the clean transition," Lauri Inna, the City of Pori's Mayor, highlighted. Earlier, the ports of Pori and Raahe have partnered to make sure the right infrastructure and handling capacities are in place so that the development of Finland's (offshore) wind energy industry isn't hampered, and that renewable energy is available to produce, among others, e-fuels with the use of captured biogenic carbon.

In late November last year, the Finnish Langh Tech shared that its onboard carbon capture (OCC) system was ready for installation. Following a trial on one of Langh Ship's vessels, the Damen Shipyards Group would install the solution on four dry bulk carriers in 2025 (along with hybrid scrubbers). "The pilot plant has shown that it is possible to [achieve] capture rates [of] over 80% from the exhaust gas flow coming into the system. The overall CO2 emissions can be reduced at least by 20 to 30%, depending on the available space, and other ship and product specifications," Langh Tech highlighted in a press release. The tech company from Piikkiö also underscored, "A unique feature of the system is the possibility to sell and utilise the sodium carbonate, which results at the end of the chemical process, for diverse applications in other industries [such as glass and detergent manufacturing]." Langh Tech's OCC system applies a post-combustion technique, in which CO2-containing exhaust gases are directed into a capture unit. The carbon dioxide then dissolves into the liquid phase through a counter-currently flowing aqueous NaOH solution. The manufacturer says that a maximised surface area ensures the highest possible carbon capture rates. As a result of several consecutive reactions, CO2 is chemically bound into a thermodynamically stable product of sodium carbonate. With "[…] post-combustion capture, there is no need for solvent regeneration or CO2 compression, which significantly reduces the additional energy consumption on board, as well as the resources needed to operate the OCC system. No additional specialised equipment is needed. In turn, the capture reagent, sodium hydroxide, can be produced by electrolysis of sodium chloride using renewable energy," Langh Tech explained. The company also underlined that its OCC system is adaptable and scalable, and can be used with different ship types. The bulker-installation is part of a project between Langh Tech, Atal Solutions, BAM Shipping, and the Damen Shipyards Group, the aim of which is to retrofit ships with different technologies for maximum CO2 as well as SOX and NOX emission reduction while using traditional fuels. The project's goal is to axe ship CO2 emissions by up to 60% with OCC (coupled with other measures, including voyage planning). "The decision to choose Langh Tech was simple. CO2 capturing is the only economic way to drastically reduce emissions as of now. My main concern was the value of the CO2 end product being created on board the ship. Langh Tech delivered on every front: a high capture rate, a highvalue CO2 end product, and a significant reduction in emissions. From a commercial perspective, it made perfect sense. On a personal note, we share the same vision and goal: to green the global fleet. That alignment made Langh Tech the natural choice," Rutger van Dam, Business Development Manager at the Damen Shipyards Group, commented. Edwin Sieswerda, Founder and CEO of Atal Solutions, added, "This partnership with the Damen Shipyards Group and Langh Tech showcases how innovative collaboration drives meaningful change. Atal's vision and willingness to embrace bold solutions demonstrate how we can address the challenges of decarbonisation while unlocking economic and environmental benefits for the maritime sector. By investing in Langh Tech's onboard carbon capture technology, we're not just setting a new benchmark for sustainable shipping – we're also paving the way for future projects and ongoing transformation in the industry. It's a big leap, but one that aligns with our shared commitment to building a more sustainable future." Laura LanghLagerlöf, Commercial Director of Langh Tech, summed up, "Our onboard carbon capture solution gives shipowners and operators the possibility to decarbonise and balance their costs. The scarcity and significantly higher costs of carbon-neutral fuels are a substantial hurdle to the decarbonisation of shipping. It will take time until those fuels can be widely used and afforded. We are here to bridge this gap and help companies to decarbonise efficiently and according to their abilities."

At the beginning of December 2024, the Swedish Energy Agency granted SEK5.3 million support (about €460 thousand), within the Industrial Leap initiative, to Malmö CO2 Hub for establishing a carbon dioxide infrastructure in Southern Sweden (with a yearly capacity of 1-2 million tonnes). The funds will be used to carry out a feasibility study, to be completed in June this year, covering also the topics of transportation and final geological storage (possibly in Denmark or Norway). "By collaborating on a carbon capture, utilisation and storage infrastructure, we can achieve climate benefits not only for industry but also for Sweden as a whole. The project provides economies of scale and reduced costs for all participating companies, making it easier for us to contribute to achieving Sweden's climate goals. This funding from the Swedish Energy Agency and our partners makes this possible, and establishes a model that other regions can derive inspiration from," highlighted Henrik Norgren, Project Manager at Malmö CO2 Hub. The initiative, now in its third phase, is managed by Nordion Energi and involves Copenhagen Malmö Port, E.ON, Sysav, and Uniper. The Hub's latest works are also supported by Växjö Energi and Öresundskraft. Before 2024 came to its conclusion, the Port of Kalundborg, together with 14 industrial partners, founded CCS Zealand, tasked with creating a carbon capture and storage value chain on the largest island in Denmark proper. "We see significant value in contributing to a unified and efficient value chain for CO2 management. By working together across sectors, we can strengthen the necessary infrastructure and share experiences that create innovative solutions for the benefit of both companies and society," the parties underlined in a press brief. They also said, "CCS Zealand represents an important step towards realizing the ambitions for CO2 reduction and sustainable development. Together with our partners, we are working to make CO2 capture and storage a concrete and effective part of the green transition."

// Other port developments... //

In late February 2024, Energos Infrastructure's 174 thousand cubic metres of capacity floating storage & regasification unit (FSRU) Energos Power berthed at Deutsche ReGas ' terminal in the Mukran Port. The FSRU then underwent tests, feeding the German market with the Norwegian gas it received. Another FSRU, the back then docked in Lubmin Neptune, was expected to join Energos Power later in the spring of last year.

In April last year, news broke out that NATO will invest in a military seaport in Latvia. The Organization will spend some €160 million on setting up the necessary infrastructure in the Port of Liepāja. The investment will comprise new berths, supporting infrastructure, and dredging works. The new naval base will be erected at Karosta, which had already housed a military harbour in the past. The Baltic Times also recalled that the Latvian Ministry of Defence announced in 2020 its intention to establish a 35-hectare military base in Liepāja.

In April, Lantmännen celebrated the completion of its Djurön investment. The Swedish agro-cooperative spent SEK100 million (about €8.7 million) on a ship loader and a cabin for its island grain terminal outside Norrköping. The investment enabled the organisation to load vessels that can take up to 60 thousand tonnes. Lantmännen's Djurön 35-metre-tall terminal comprises 20 siloes and three kilns that together make it possible to handle 330 thousand tonnes of grains per year. The facility's storage capacity amounts to 250 thousand tonnes. "The fact that our members, active Swedish farmers, should have a market for the grain they deliver is part of our core business. Hence, it is rewarding to be able to inaugurate the new boat loader and resume the export flows at the plant," commented Elisabeth Ringdahl, EVP Agriculture Sector at Lantmännen. Magnus Kagevik, President and CEO of Lantmännen, added, "Continued investments in a well-functioning grain infrastructure are important for increasing growth and profitability in Swedish agriculture. The plant's extensive storage capacity and export opportunities also contribute to Sweden's food preparedness. In the event of national crises or international disruptions, export flows can be turned inwards and thus contribute to Swedish preparedness." A month earlier, Lantmännen began constructing its new facilities in the Port of Uddevalla : 21 silos and two kilns. The new set-up will provide 41 thousand tonnes of capacity for storing, drying, and shipping grains (some 100 thousand tonnes/ year) via the Swedish port. The SEK500 million investment (€43.5 million), located in Uddevalla's Western Harbour, will be completed by the construction firm Tornum in 2026, replacing Lantmännen's current one in the Inner Harbour.

At the beginning of the summer of 2024, the Danish construction firm Aarsleff completed the New Farehamnen project it had been working on since 2021, erecting a brand-new 90 thousand square metre terminal area in Varberg for the Ports of Halland to ship more forestry products. The works included setting up a 360-metre-long quay plus a 140-metre-long pier as well as dredging down to 11 metres. Construction involved ramming 255 steel piles of 600 millimetres in diameter and measuring 35-to-50 metres as the foundation for the quay wall, upon which 223 slabs weighing 60-to-165 tonnes rested on 253 pile tops (both produced at Aarsleff's cement factory in Poland).

Then, at the end of the summer of last year, the Port of Gothenburg inaugurated the operations of the brand-new, 144 thousand square metres Arendal 2 terminal it had been working on for the past six years at the expense of €60 million. Among others, some 180 thousand m3 of contaminated materials were dredged from the Göta River, which were then contained, stabilised, and solidified to form the foundation of the new (asphalted) terminal area. Gothenburg RoRo Terminal already uses parts of Arendal 2, which will also see the relocation of Stena Line's ferry terminal. "Parts of the new spaces will be used by Stena Line when the shipping company begins relocating its local operations from its current locations in the central parts of the city to the outer port area. The project has included preparations regarding filling, channeling, and water purification for a future ferry terminal," the Port of Gothenburg shared in a press brief. Göran Eriksson, CEO of the Swedish seaport, also commented, "This terminal began planning as early as the 1990s and then we talked about future-proofing. Now that future is here, and this terminal is needed to meet the transportation needs of Swedish industry today, which are also expected to continue growing over time."

In late August 2024, the Port of Trelleborg saw Skanska putting in place the 100-metre-long, two-lane ro-ro side ramp at the Ferry Berth No 13 (with TT-Line's gas-run Green Ships using it after final inspection later in October). Installing the superstructure was part of the port's EU-supported Digi-MoS project. 

In early December 2024, the Finnish Outokumpu announced it would invest around €40 million in a plant for producing biocarbon, some 15 thousand tonnes per year, in the Mukran Port. The factory, slated for commissioning in H1 2026, will use secondary wood raw materials as feedstock. The end product, a fine granulate that looks like black sand, will be shipped to the Port of Tornio for further processing into biocoke pellets (with the pelletising plant ready in mid-2025). These will, in turn, be used by Outokumpu to replace coal and other fossil energy sources in various stages of stainless steel production (with biocoke specifically used as a reductant in ferrochrome smelting). The waste heat generated by the 'black sand' plant will be fed into the district heating network on the island of Rügen. The Finnish company says that approximately 50% of its direct emissions could be reduced by replacing fossil coke with biocoke. "Outokumpu's decision in favour of Mukran is the result of an intensive process. It shows how attractive our port is for companies that rely on multimodal transport chains. The planned delivery of raw materials by rail and shipment of the end product by ship will strengthen the site's logistics diversity. With Outokumpu, we are not only gaining a world-leading company in its sector but also increasing the attractiveness for other potential industrial customers and supporting the transformation of the location with regard to new energy sources," highlighted Fridjof Ostenberg, Mukran Port's Managing Director. Outokumpu's Chief Technology Officer, Stefan Erdmann, added, "Mukran Port convinced us with its combination of existing industrial space, modern infrastructure, and excellent hinterland connections. The short sea routes to Finland also enable efficient and more environmentally friendly logistics. We look forward to further developing this location together." He also shared, "We are proud that our stainless steel has the lowest carbon footprint in the industry [1.52kg CO2e per kg of stainless steel in 2023], and we are progressing steadily towards our target to reduce our emission intensity across our direct, indirect and supply chain emissions by 42% by 2030 from a 2016 base year. Currently, biocoke represents the best available technology to decrease our direct emissions and we are investigating also other innovations as well as the use of carbon capture technology to achieve further reductions." Timo Huhtala, General Manager at Outokumpu EvoCarbon, also underlined, "Biomass-based raw materials offer exciting possibilities for Outokumpu to cut direct emissions. I'm proud of our team's innovative thinking in developing an industrial concept that ensures technical readiness and financial viability for the new investment, driving progress in the green transition today. We want to take an active role in developing the biocoke market, which will give us scale-up and new business opportunities also going forward." 

Also at the start of December, Port Gdański Eksploatacja (PGE) shared it would spend some PLN400 million (about €93 million) on new infrastructure in the Port of Gdańsk 's Inner Harbour for handling and storing agricultural products. The investment will see the construction of nine grain silos, five on the Wiślane and four on the Szczecin Quay, modernisation of road, rail & port infrastructure, and the purchase of conveyor belts and Liebherr cranes – all to handle ships carrying up to 36 thousand tonnes. The project will increase PGE's yearly storage capacity by fivefold, to 152 thousand tonnes, while its agricultural goods handling capacity will increase from 700 thousand to 2.9 million tonnes/year. The investment will also pave the way for setting up another agro terminal, dedicated to grains and feedstock. 

// …as well as those from shipping // 

Towards end January 2024, Unity Line took hold of Epsilon. The 187 by 26 m ferry, offering room for 299 passengers and 2,860 lane metres for wheeled cargo and other vehicles, was then put on the Świnoujście-Trelleborg route (however, the ship hit Berth No. 7 in the Swedish seaport on 30 January midst thick fog, after which it had to undergo a hull check that took her out of service for a couple of weeks; no one was hurt during the incident and no cargo was damaged). 

Also in January of last year, Lakeway Link, a JV between Greencarrier and Wallenius, got hold of the 1999-built Miramar Express. The 1,624 lane metres of capacity ro-ro was re-named Lakeway Express ahead of her launch on the Gdynia-Södertälje service later in May (with three weekly departures). Following the reconstruction of the Södertälje locks in 2026, the service is expected to expand to include the Port of Västerås on the Lake Mälaren. In the meantime, Lakeway Link struck an eco-fuel deal with ScanOcean, following which Lakeway Express sails on B15-DMA, a marine fuel with 15% renewable content. The bunkering operations of the ISO 8217-compatible and ISCC-EU-certified fuel take place in the Port of Södertälje. 

In February 2024, Tallink Grupp confirmed the sale of Isabelle. It was Bridgemans Floatel Limited Partnership's subsidiary from Cyprus, Notamare Shipping Company, who took over the ferry. The purchase was an exercise of the option included in the multi-year charter from April 2023 between Tallink Grupp's subsidiaries Tallink Latvia & Hansalink and Bridgemans. The ferry, operating the Riga-Stockholm crossing before COVID-19 and offering room for 2,200 passengers (plus 970 lane metres for wheeled cargo), left Tallinn for Canada in December 2023. Isabelle joined Bridgemans' fleet of floatels (floating hotels) the following month. "We are pleased that after nearly 11 years as part of the Tallink Grupp fleet and at the respectable age of 35, Isabelle will now continue to offer a valuable and muchneeded service, like the one she was able to offer here in Tallinn to the Ukrainian war refugees – safe accommodation – albeit this time to workers of major global industrial and resource projects," Paavo Nõgene, Tallink Grupp's CEO, commented. 

On the 16 February last year, the cruise ferry Finncanopus of Finnlines departed from the Port of Naantali on her first voyage to & from Kapellskär via the Åland Islands. The sister ship of the autumn 2023-delivered Finnsirius also offers room for 1,100 passengers and 5,200 lane metres for cargo. The 235.6 by 33.3 metres Ice Class 1A Super ferries feature several emissionreduction technologies, such as air lubrication, batteries, scrubbers, and waste heat recovery. They also have ballast water treatment plants. Finnsirius and Finncanopus also take advantage of auto-mooring and draw power from the shore while berthed in Naantali and Kapellskär. During the Grimaldi Group's XXVI Euromed Convention From Land to Sea, Emanuele Grimaldi revealed that we should expect three brand-new Superstar+ cruise ferries in the Baltic before long (this ones serving Finnlines' Finland-Germany trade). 

Before the month's closure, Ellerman City Liners kicked off the Poland Express Service (iPEX), which connects the ports of Gdynia and Tilbury on a weekly basis. The 966-TEU-capacity Nova serves the crossing. iPEX joined Ellerman's first Poland-England service (Gdynia-Teesport). 

March 2024 got in motion with news that Samskip updated its Baltic Sea service (kicked off in November 2023). The company added the Port of Klaipėda to the roster, exchanged Hull for Immingham, and increased the capacity by deploying two 803-TEU carriers. The service now connects the Baltic ports of Helsinki, Riga and Klaipėda with Rotterdam and Immingham. 

Also in March, X-Press Feeders added the Port of Piteå to its Sweden Finland X-PRESS (SFX) service, operated by the 1,036-TEU Phoenix J. The rotation links the Baltic ports of Piteå, Tornio and Oulu with Hamburg and Wilhelmshaven. March also witnessed the selling of Urd by Stena Line to Sea Lines. The ferry that was at that time chartered to TT-Line and which previously served Stena's HankoNorvik service (discontinued in the autumn of 2023) plies now between the Romanian Constanța and the Turkish Karasu, offering room for 186 passengers and 1,598 lane metres for wheeled cargo. 

Still staying in March, Gotland Alandia Cruises' Birka Gotland sailed on her maiden voyage on the 20 th, departing from Stockholm's Stadsgårdskajen to the Port of Mariehamn. Subsequently, the cruiser (offering room for 1,800 passengers) was sailing each evening between the two destinations, also visiting Visby from time to time (the first trip to the island of Gotland was scheduled for 30 March 2024). Summing up his company's JanuarySeptember 2024 performance, Jan Hanses, Viking Line's President and CEO (together with Destination Gotland, the ferry line from the Åland Islands is 50/50 co-owner of Gotland Alandia Cruises), said, "The launch of service for Gotland Alandia Cruises has entailed additional one-off costs, and occupancy rates on the vessel Birka Gotland during the period up to June did not correspond to our expectations. Occupancy rates improved during the summer and are expected to remain at a good level during the autumn." A total of 296,085 travellers boarded Birka Gotland till end-September last year. Adding another three months, and the cruiser served 438,743 passengers in 2024 altogether (out of 4,646,676 people who sailed with Viking Line last year, so 9.4%). 

March also saw the Skagenheadquartered Terntank entrusting China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Yangzhou) with constructing a 15,000-deadweight tanker (with an option for another). The vessel will feature a dual-fuel engine able to sail on marine gas oil as well as bio-fuel (including methanol). The 14-segregation tanker will also be equipped with auxiliary wind propulsion, a battery system, and a connector for cold ironing. Delivery is scheduled for Q1 2027, marking the 10 th ship built by China Merchants for the shipping company since 2014. 

As of 10 April 2024, Finnlines' ro-pax Finnfellow sails between the ports of Malmö and Świnoujście (Euro Terminal) on a daily basis. The 2000-built ferry, previously serving the Malmö-Travemünde crossing, offers room for 440 passengers and 3,099 lane metres for cargo. "With our new Poland-Sweden route, we have opened up exciting opportunities for trade and tourism. This connection is highly important for both Polish and Swedish trade, as well as for the countries' security of supply, which Finnlines is committed to ensure," commented Tom Pippingsköld, President and CEO of Finnlines, after the service's first nine months. Marco Palmu, Head of the company's Passenger Services, took the occasion to comment on Finnlines' overall performance last year, "We are now focusing more on passenger travel, and the growth has been remarkable. In 2023, around 700,000 passengers travelled with us, while in 2024, the volumes increased to almost one million. Swedish travellers are coming to Poland for their summer holidays as Malmö is Sweden's bridge to the rest of the world. We see tremendous potential in this connection and look forward to building this success." We had the pleasure of trying out the Malmö-Świnoujście service not long after its launch. 

In April as well, Stena Line bought into Africa Morocco Link. The Swedish shipping line took a 49% stake in the Tangerbased company that offers a ferry service between Tanger Med and Algeciras. The crossing is operated by two ro-paxes: Morocco Sun (room for 1,001 passengers and 850 lane metres for cargo) and Morocco Star (935/755), both built in 1980. Additionally, Africa Morocco Link kicked off the Tanger Ville-Tarifa high-speed route for passengers and private vehicles last summer. "We are always looking to secure new business opportunities that will make us last and be resilient in the long run. The Strait of Gibraltar is a strategic location for passengers travelling between Africa and Europe as well as for global trade, and freight volumes in the area are expected to grow in the upcoming years due to the positive industrial growth and international trade in Morocco," Niclas Mårtensson, Stena Line's CEO, underlined. He added, "These routes, their ports, and the surrounding industries are under development and expected to drive a healthy freight market growth in the coming 10 years. It is a very exciting area to be able to operate in." 

Next, April also saw the launch of Nerthus, the all-electric passenger-car ferry for the Danish Alslinjen (subsidiary of Molslinjen), by the Turkish Cemre Shipyard. Once deployed, the 116.8-m long ferry will offer room for 600 passengers and 188 vehicles across the FynshavBøjden crossing. Nerthus will feature technology for automatic docking and charging its 3.1MWh battery system (supplied by Echandia). Cemre Shipyard is also constructing Tyrfing, a sister ship for the BallenKalundborg link (as the service is longer, she'll have a bigger battery pack of 3.8MWh). 

Also in April, the Dutch Royal Bodewes was entrusted by the Finnish Meriaura with an order for new freighters. The two 105-metre-long, 6,750-deadweight, Ice Class 1A Ecotraders are planned for delivery in January and December 2026. The pair will sail on biofuel made from recycled raw material produced by Meriaura's subsidiary VG-Ecofuel. 

In mid-June 2024, DFDS sold the OsloFrederikshavn-Copenhagen (OFC) service to Gotland Company for around DKK400 million (about €53.6 million). The deal included the crossing's ferries Crown Seaways (room for 2,168 passengers and 1,482 lane metres for wheeled cargo) and Pearl Seaways (2,044/1,370), port agreements, and terminal equipment. Some 800 employees in route operations and support functions also moved to the new owners. The OFC, kicked off together with DFDS' establishment in 1866, mainly functions as a cruise ferry service nowadays, serving around 700 thousand leisure passengers annually. 

On 27 July 2024, Polferries' brand-new ferry Varsovia entered the ŚwinoujścieYstad service. The 216-metre-long ship offers room for 920 passengers and 2,940 lane metres for cargo. The ro-pax, built by Visentini Shipyard in Italy according to a design by NAOS Ship and Boat Design, replaced the company's Cracovia (650/2,196) and Baltivia (250/1,408). The former went on a charter in the Mediterranean (as of 1 July 2024). Polferries chartered Varsovia for 10 years. 

In August of last year, Finnlines rearranged its West Finland-Baltic Germany ro-ro service. The company re-established its Turku-Uusikaupunki-Travemünde rotation, this time with the addition of the Port of Rostock. The new service is operated with Finnpulp, which offers 3,259 lane metres for cargo. 

Then in September, Finnlines added Southeastern England to its FinlandBelgium-Spain ro-ro service. As of the 23rd, the company's three Finnecos (each offering 5,800 lane metres of cargo capacity) call to Peel Ports' London Medway in the Port of Sheerness on a weekly basis. The rotation links the ports of Helsinki/Kotka-Sheerness-Antwerp/Zeebrugge-Bilbao/Vigo. 

In October 2024, another (elderly) ferry left the Baltic. The Greek Paxos Island Maritime took over Mercandia VIII from Öresundslinjen, with the 1987-built (by North East Shipbuilders in the English Sunderland) ferry leaving Landskrona, where she was laid up, for Piraeus. The 95.8 by 15 metres ro-pax, renamed Corfu Star, offers room for about 400 passengers and 290 lane metres for wheeled cargo/cars. 

October also saw the coming of a new direct Sweden-Far East Asia service. COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers kicked off the one-per-month route that sees vehicles (with room for project cargo) transported between Gothenburg (Car Terminal operated by Logent Ports and Terminals), Singapore, Xinsha, Tianjin and Shanghai Cars made in Sweden and China flow in opposite directions, with heavy-duty vehicles also transported increasingly more from Asia to Europe. The new service is operated with COSCO's latest series of vehicle carriers that are 199.9-metre long and 38-metrewide, each offering a capacity of 7,500 across 13 decks (four of which are height-adjustable designed to accommodate high & heavy shipments). The carriers run on liquefied natural gas. According to COSCO's own calculations, these gas-run vessels offer a 27% CO2 reduction vs conventional fuel propulsion. "With this service, our Swedish customers can also avoid transshipment in other ports or pre-transport by road to more distant ports. Overall, this provides significant advantages for those looking to reduce their transport emissions," underlined Erik Lund Eriksen, Partner Director at COSCO Shipping Lines Nordic. 

In October as well, the Finnish ESL Shipping entrusted China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) with constructing four hybrid, multi-fuel vessels in an €186 million investment that also includes an option for more newbuilds. The 17,000-deadweight, 150 by 23.77 metres, 1A Ice Class freighters will enter traffic between Q3 2027 and Q1 2028. The ships will have the possibility to run on hydrogen-based e-methanol or biomethanol. "The design of the vessels and comprehensive model tests have been carried out together with the leading Finnish ship designer Deltamarin and the Swedish SSPA model test facility. ESL Shipping has been closely involved in the design of the vessels to ensure that they are fully tailored to meet local customer needs. The majority of key equipment, such as powertrain including battery hybrid drive, cargo handling equipment, and many other leading technologies come from European companies," ESL Shipping underlined in a press brief. Earlier, in March 2024, the Finnish company sold two Supramaxes. Arkadia and Kumpula were handed over to companies of HGF Denizcilik Limited Sirket, a Turkish shipping and logistics group, in April-May 2024. ESL Shipping received €37.1 million for the 56,000-deadweight, 197-metre-long, Ice Class 1A, 2012-delivered vessels. 

In mid-November 2024, X-Press Feeders introduced its new Baltic-North Sea service. The Benelux Scandinavia Baltic X-PRESS (BSB) links the ports of Antwerp, Rotterdam, Fredericia, Gdynia, Gävle, and Rauma on a weekly basis. Two vessels serve the rotation: the 1,036-TEU X-Press Agility and the 1,436-TEU Essence. The company also said the service includes an option for inducement calls into other Bay of Bothnia ports. A few days later and ONE also launched a new Baltic-North Sea feeder service. The Japanese container shipping line introduced the SCX (Scandinavia Express) service that links the ports of Rotterdam, Gothenburg, Helsingborg, Aarhus, and Copenhagen Cape Ferrol (1,440 TEUs of capacity) and Langeness (1,781) serve the loop. 

An entirely separate section could (and should) be devoted to ship deliveries & orders made by Swedish shipping lines in 2024. First, in January, Erik Thun upped its order book to 15 by ordering four vessels. The Swedish shipowner entrusted the Dutch shipbuilder Ferus Smit with delivering two multipurpose vessels of the Lake Vänern Max class and two coastal tankers within the R-Class family. The former will be 5,100 deadweight and have the 1B Ice Class (in total, Erik Thun will receive six such ships). The R-Class tankers (ordered by Thun Tankers, part of the Erik Thun Group) will be methanol-ready. With the latest two, the R-Class series will amount to eight. The first, Thun Resource (1A Ice Class, 114.95 by 15.87 metres, 7,999-deadweight, 9,540 m3 of carrying capacity), was delivered by Ferus Smit just after the latest order announcement. The newbuilds will feature battery packs and connectors for drawing electric power from the shore. An intermediate product tanker in the Vinga series complements the order book, scheduled for completion over 2024-2027. 

In February 2024, Wallenius Wilhelmsen ordered more Shaper Class pure car & truck carriers (PCTC). The company decided to exercise the option of having Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) deliver four additional dual-fuel methanol/ammonia-ready PCTCs. The first 9,300 CEU-capacity Shaper Class vessels will start being delivered from H2 2026. The four additional PCTCs will be handed over in May-November 2027. Then, in October, the Norwegian-Swedish shipping line decided to make four (out of 12 ordered) car carriers bigger, adding six metres in length and two in width, thus making it possible to have 14 instead of 12 decks. The enlargement will up the car carriers' capacity to 11,700 CEUs. Like their sister ships, the bigger 'Shapers' will feature dual-fuel, methanol-capable engines. In November, Wallenius Wilhelmsen placed yet another order for two additional 11,700CEU PCTCs at China Merchants Jingling Shipyard, plus decided to up-scale two earlier orders from 9,300 to 11,700 CEUs. As such, the company has 14 Shaper class vessels on order, eight 11,700 and six of the 9,300-CEU range. The shipping line also holds options for two more vessels (declarable by H2 2025). 

March of 2024 witnessed the launch of Ahlmark Lines' newbuild. The dry bulker constructed by the Dutch Royal Bodewes was the first in a series of two 5050 Eco Traders (the sister ship was scheduled for delivery in Q4 2024). The Ice Class 1A, 5,000-deadweight, 90-metre long dry bulk carrier for the Karlstad-headquartered Swedish shipping line was granted the Cleanship notation by BV. 

In March last year, Wallenius Lines bought a car carrier, the 6,000-CEU capacity Höegh Chiba (renamed Auto Way) from the Norwegian Höegh Autoliners. The company shared in a February 2024 stock exchange release that the vessel was sold for $61 million; at the same time, Höegh Autoliners bought the 6,500-CEU Höegh Jeddah for $43.2 million. The 2006-built Auto Way was jumboised by 19.2 metres in 2012 (according to the lengthening design provided by the Danish KNUD E. HANSEN). 

In April 2024, the Longkou shipyard of CIMC Raffles delivered the car carrier Future Way to Wallenius Marine. The 199.95 by 37 metres, dual-fuel (gas-run) vessel offers 6,500-CEU capacity. She is currently employed by Volkswagen under a 10-year charter. Way Forward, Future Way 's sister ship, also began working for the German car manufacturer as of September 2024. Both car carriers of the Sleipner class, designed by Wallenius Marine and KNUD E. HANSEN, feature several eco-solutions, including optimised hull design, a shaft generator of active front end type (said to cut up to 10% of emissions), multi-fuel engines (liquefied natural gas and its bio version, plus regular and synthetic diesel), and connectors for drawing shore electricity while berthed. Also, when fully loaded, the two car carriers don't need ballast water. 

In late October 2024, Ferus Smit launched Lidan and Spiken, the first in a series of six 4th generation of dry cargo freighters designed for trading through the Trollhätte Canal and in the Lake Vänern. Each 80 by 13.35 metres, 5,100-deadweight, 1B Ice Class vessel offers 206 thousand cubic feet of capacity across two holds. "With a large diameter propeller operating within a nozzle, it delivers increased thrust at lower speeds, reducing power demand during challenging seaways and ice-breaking operations. This advanced design allows us to reduce the installed main engine power by 18% without compromising performance, resulting in decreased fuel usage and carbon emissions," the ships' owners from Erik Thun highlighted in a press release. The two first Trollmaxes also feature battery packs (for peak shaving and power smoothing), optimized bulb forms, transom shape, and closed bridge wings. Lidan and Spiken can also connect to an onshore power supply facility.

Before last year's end, Sirius Shipping entrusted China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Dingheng) with the construction of four oil products/chemical tankers. The 119.9 by 19.4 metres, 1A Ice Class, 7,999-deadweight tankers will offer 9,700 cubic metres of capacity in MarineLINE coated tanks, making it possible to handle 11 grades of cargo. The vessels will be equipped with 420kWh batteries for peak shaving, as well as 1,000kW connectors for drawing electricity from the shore. The Evolution 8K class was jointly designed by Sirius Shipping and FKAB. These joined the shipowner's order book of two 15,000-deadweight oil products/chemicals, methanol-ready tankers, the first of which will be delivered by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Yangzho) in 2026. 

Lastly, AtoB@C Shipping continued its fleet renewal last year, seeing the launch/ delivery of five 5,400-deadweight Battery Hybrid Coasters, with Terramar, Maximar, Aquamar, Ecomar, and Stellamar joining the December 2023-delivered Electramar. The latest one, Terramar, should start plying for the Ystad-based company in Q1 2025, marking the halfway point in the completion of the altogether 12 newbuildings series (constructed by the Shipbuilding Division of the Indian, Goa-based Chowgule and Company). Each 89.95 by 15.95 metres, 7,650 m3 of cargo capacity vessel has the 1A Ice Class and can draw power from the shore.