Wärtsilä Leads New Clean Shipping Fuels Initiative

A group of six Nordic companies has, in line with the UN sustainability goals, joined forces to develop a new infrastructure for green fuels for ships.

Called Zero Emission Energy Distribution at Sea (ZEEDS), the initiative is spearheaded by technology company Wärtsilä.

Other members include shipping and logistics company DFDS, ship owner and operator Grieg Star, engineering company Aker Solutions, energy firm Equinor and EPC company Kvaerner.

“The ZEEDS-partners recognise that the transition to clean fuels will require a collective effort. We believe that by addressing the supply, storage and distribution chain, we can accelerate the switch to cleaner shipping fuels,” Cato Espero, Sales Director at Wärtsilä’s Marine division, Nordics and Baltics, explained.

Through the ZEEDS project, the partners have explored potential solutions together, and the most promising ideas will be presented in Oslo at Future Innovation Day – Horizons on June 3 and during Nor-Shipping maritime event on June 4.

“We are excited to share our ideas and even more importantly get feedback on how we can further develop and improve,” Espero added.

Moving forward the focus will be on engaging the relevant authorities and potential new partners to ensure further development of the concept and the ideas.

“In order to develop a sustainable solution to this challenge, we, as a society have to work together… (W)e need the support from authorities and are calling for them to implement incentives that will enable us to find the fastest route to zero emission shipping,” Espero concluded.

Annually, shipping is responsible for nearly one billion tonnes of CO2 gas emissions globally. Shipping emits 3% of global CO2 and would be the 6th biggest emitter after Japan if it were a country.

Last year, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reached an agreement to reduce annual greenhouse gas (GHG) shipping emissions by at least 50% by 2050 as compared to 2008 levels.