Home Energy Transition X-Press Feeders, 6 European ports to create green shipping corridors
April 5, 2024,
by
Naida Hakirevic Prevljak
Singapore-based independent common carrier X-Press Feeders has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with six European ports to accelerate the establishment of green shipping corridors and decarbonize the marine sector in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea.
Courtesy of X-Press Feeders
The landmark agreement was signed with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the Port of Tallinn, the Port of Helsinki, the Port of HaminaKotka, Freeport of Riga and Klaipeda Port.
Through this MOU, X-Press Feeders and the participating ports will pool resources and expertise to develop and implement sustainable practices for maritime operations.
Under the MOU, the parties will work together to:
- Further develop infrastructure for the provision and bunkering of alternative fuels such as green methanol;
- Encourage the development of supply chains for fuel that are zero or near to zero in terms of greenhouse gas emissions;
- Provide further training programs for port workers and seafarers with regards to the handling of alternative fuels;
- Leverage digital platforms to enhance port call optimization;
- Have regular meetings to update and discuss progress on actions for further developing green shipping corridors.
According to X-Press Feeders, the MOU underscores the collective dedication to broader decarbonization efforts within the maritime sector.
“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,” Francis Goh, X-Press Feeders’ Chief Operating Officer, commented.
“This MOU represents a significant milestone in our commitment to a sustainable future for the maritime industry. By collaborating with these leading European ports, we can collectively drive the adoption of green technologies that accelerate the decarbonization of our industry,” he added.
The collaboration between the parties will begin with the establishment of these two shipping routes — Green Baltic X-PRESS (GBX): Rotterdam > Antwerp Bruges > Klaipeda > Riga > Rotterdam and Green Finland X-PRESS (GFX): Rotterdam > Antwerp Bruges > Helsinki > Tallinn > HaminaKotka > Rotterdam.
These services are scheduled to commence in Q3 2024, marking a significant step towards more environmentally sustainable shipping services in Europe.
This development has been described significant as these will be the very first scheduled feeder routes in Europe powered by green methanol, an alternative fuel that produces at least 60% less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional marine fuel.
Specifically, X-Press Feeders’ green methanol is sourced from fuel supplier OCI Global. Green methanol is made from green hydrogen and the decomposition of organic matter, such as waste and residues.