AtoB@C, EFO turn to renewable fuels in new initiative

AtoB@C Shipping, a Swedish subsidiary of shipping company ESL Shipping, and EFO, a joint venture of compatriot energy companies, have committed to a set of measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from their sea transports.

As informed, the initiative will involve substituting 10% of the annual fuel consumption of EFO’s shipments with renewable alternatives, resulting in a projected 8.5% reduction in lifecycle emissions.

“We are pleased to have found in AtoB@C Shipping a shipping company that not only shares our long-term vision but has also provided us with a tangible solution today to begin reducing our emissions immediately,” Andreas Ukmar, CEO at EFO, commented.

In addition, the companies have agreed to implement virtual arrival as a standard operational practice to optimize the speed of the vessels when there is a known delay in port. On average, virtual arrival has reduced voyage emissions in AtoB@C Shipping’s traffic by 11% in the voyages it has been applied for.

“We are excited to partner with EFO in advancing greener shipping practices. Renewable fuels are crucial in mitigating shipping emissions,” Frida Rowland, Commercial Director at AtoB@C Shipping, said.

So far two voyages have been performed with 100% renewable fuel under this contract with plug-in hybrid vessel Electramar unloading the second cargo in Oxelösund, Sweden last week.

Christened in May this year, Electramar is the first vessel in the series of twelve energy-efficient plug-in hybrid vessels. The 5,400 dwt general cargo ship was delivered to its owner by India’s Chowgule Shipyard in December 2023.

On August 30, 2024, AtoB@C Shipping christened its second plug-in hybrid vessel, Stellamar, in Ystad.