X-Press Feeders, the world’s largest independent common carrier, has pioneered Europe’s first scheduled feeder network powered by green methanol, a sustainable marine fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 65%.
Industry Milestone and Vessel Launch
This significant industry milestone was celebrated with the naming and christening ceremony of X-Press Feeders’ first dual-fuel methanol-powered vessel, Eco-Maestro, in Rotterdam. Eco-Maestro is the first of 14 dual-fuel vessels ordered by X-Press Feeders, which plans to deploy these vessels predominantly on European routes, thus establishing Europe’s first feeder network powered by green methanol.
Regulatory Context and Sustainability Goals
This initiative aligns with the EU’s recent implementation of an emissions trading scheme (ETS) for maritime shipping, encouraging shippers to adopt more sustainable practices. Additionally, the upcoming Fuel EU Maritime regulations, effective January 2025, will require a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity for energy used onboard ships.
Feeder Network Services
X-Press Feeders’ methanol-powered network will offer the following services:
- Green Finland X-PRESS (GFX): Rotterdam > Antwerp Bruges > Helsinki > Tallinn > HaminaKotka > Rotterdam
- Green Baltic X-PRESS (GBX): Rotterdam > Antwerp Bruges > Klaipeda > Riga > Rotterdam
Green Methanol and Certification
Green bio-methanol, a renewable energy source produced from the decomposition of organic matter like waste and residues, is independently certified in Europe under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standards. The Port of Rotterdam was chosen as the network’s base due to its status as Europe’s largest port and its capability to handle green methanol refueling.
Collaborative Efforts
This milestone results from extensive collaboration between X-Press Feeders and several key partners, including the ports of Antwerp Bruges, HaminaKotka, Helsinki, Klaipeda, Riga, and Tallinn. These partnerships are vital for supporting the methanol-powered feeder network and ensuring sustainable logistics across the region.
Leadership and Future Plans
“Today marks a significant milestone in sustainable shipping in Europe. Companies now have a regularly scheduled network that allows them to ship goods with a lower environmental impact, helping them achieve their sustainability goals,” said Francis Goh, X-Press Feeders’ Chief Operating Officer. He emphasized that northern Europe was chosen for the initial routes due to the region’s receptiveness to sustainable shipping plans. The green network will expand across Europe as more dual-fuel vessels are delivered, with the second vessel expected to join by Q3 2024.
X-Press Feeders is dedicated to decarbonizing the maritime industry and leading innovation and sustainability efforts.
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Source: X-press Feeders
