Danish shipping and logistics company DFDS has committed to deploying a fleet of battery-powered vessels in the English Channel by 2030.
The announcement was made following a meeting between the French Minister for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, Olivier Becht, and CEO of DFDS, Torben Carlsen, to discuss decarbonisation of the shipping sector and the electrification of maritime traffic across the key shipping corridor.
Electrification of maritime traffic
In a statement, DFDS noted that, because of the ‘relative short distance’ between the UK and France the routes are ‘optimal’ for electric ferry transport.
‘We have a shared ambition with the French Government to accelerate the transition to a greener future for the shipping industry. This is not an easy task. It requires significant investments in innovation, technology and infrastructure, and collaboration and partnerships between the public and private sectors. But I am positive that we are on the right track,’ said Carlsen. ‘We will invest in green vessels and cooperate with ports and governments on both sides of the channel to decarbonise cross channel transportation.’
As previously reported, earlier in the year, DFDS and the Port of Dover, Port Boulogne Calais, and Dunkerque-Port signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on decarbonising maritime traffic on the Dover Straits. Carlsen noted that setting up battery-powered vessel operations in the English Channel will hinge on establishing the necessary shore power infrastructure ashore.
Green transition is a complex challenge
‘The green transition is a complex challenge that requires all hands-on deck. We need support from public authorities, infrastructure parties, utility providers, customers, and suppliers,’ said Carlsen. ‘I am happy to continue our cooperation with the French government to accelerate the decarbonisation and enable green transport corridors across the English Channel.’
In 2020, DFDS launched a two-staged climate action plan with a short-term objective of reducing the relative CO2 emissions of its ships by 45% by 2030, and secondly a long-term objective of being carbon neutral by 2050. The company said the electrification of the Channel fleet ‘will be an important milestone’ in achieving these objectives.
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Source: DFDS
