With funding boost under the belt, Stena Line and partners evaluating first UK-Ireland green shipping route

Backed by recently secured funding, the Green Corridor initiative is commencing a study to assess the feasibility of establishing a zero-emission shipping route between ports of Holyhead and Dublin. If established, it will be the first green route to operate between the UK and Ireland. 

The Green Corridor initiative is a collaboration between the ports of Holyhead and Dublin with ferry operators Stena Line and Irish Ferries, supported by the environmental consultancy Ricardo, Maynooth University, and EDF.

The initiative has received £122,303 (nearly $150,000) in grant funding from the International Green Corridor Fund, funded by the governments of Ireland and the UK, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK and Ireland’s Marine Institute supported by the respective Departments of Transport in UK and Ireland.

The partners and stakeholders in the Green Corridor project plan to use the funding to assess the suitability of the Holyhead-Dublin route as a green shipping corridor.  Detailed assessments of existing landside and vessel infrastructure will be conducted, accompanied by economic and environmental impact analysis. 

The initial focus will be on vessels operated by Irish Ferries and Stena Line and the potential for e-methanol as an alternative fuel. The feasibility of other alternative fuels will also be considered. 

The six-month study aims to advance the decarbonization of the Holyhead-Dublin trade route, which is said to be the busiest roll-on/roll-off route between the UK and Ireland. In 2022, nearly 1.5 million people traveled this route, with over 6,000 sailings accounting for more than 74% of all ferry passenger movements between the two countries.

As explained, outputs will include assessments of the potential low-carbon energy pathways; a detailed exploration of the regulatory and policy measures that could support the green shipping corridor; and a business case containing project timescales, cost-benefit projections, and delivery plan. 

The project will also review opportunities for local and national sustainable fuel production, and evaluate the modifications required at the ports to enable sufficient storage and bunkering.

The research team intends to consult with engine manufacturers, operators, port authorities, and alternative fuel suppliers to contrast the viability of converting existing vessels against newbuilds. There will also be regular engagement with maritime regulatory bodies to ensure any proposals follow international and domestic requirements. 

Ian Davies, Head of UK Port Authorities, Stena Line said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded this funding to explore establishing the first ‘Green Corridor’ between Wales and Ireland in collaboration with our partners. It is one of many initiatives that Stena Line is undertaking across ships and ports in the Irish Sea to support our sustainability strategy.

“We are already working to futureproof our fleet across Europe by investing in new hybrid ships and have plans to convert existing ships to be able to operate on alternative fuel. This project will allow us to determine the best way forward for our vessels on this key trading route between Dublin and Holyhead, and to assess the infrastructure needs at Holyhead Port to support a fossil free shipping corridor.”  

Andrew Sheen, Managing Director, Irish Ferries, added: ‘We welcome this government funding and look forward to collaborating on this important project. Irish Ferries already has a strong focus on sustainability and has previously availed of Green Shipping Finance from the European Investment Bank to support our investment in new and existing ships to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.  We hope the feasibility studies for this project can be conducted quickly so that we can move forward to establish Ireland’s first ‘Green Corridor’ and advance our own and Ireland’s sustainability agenda.”