The scale of shipping’s challenge to transition from fossil-based fuels to renewables must not be underestimated. Stena stands firmly behind the industry’s ambition to eliminate the use of fossil fuels as soon as possible and we are working hard to play our part in making this a reality, says an article published in Maritime Executive.
What shipping’s future fuel mix will look like?
In 2015, Stena Line converted one of the largest ferries in the world to methanol propulsion. Methanol is one of the most promising alternatives for a non-fossil maritime industry, since methanol is easy to produce, store and transport.
It can be created from fossil or sustainable sources, but also directly from renewable electricity with carbon capture. It can be used in a standard combustion engine, and we know from Stena Germanica that it works very well. We strongly believe that methanol will play an important role in the future and we will invest more in making that happen.
For longer crossings, it can play a role as a complement to other types of fuels like methanol. With this in mind, we are currently developing the Stena Elektra, a fully electric large-scale ferry that will trade between Gothenburg and Frederikshavn before 2030.
Methanol and battery propulsion are two promising options, but we are grateful for the development of other ideas by other operators and are following news in this area closely. We will continue to do that in the future in an innovative, efficient and sustainable way.
Summary
- The scale of shipping’s challenge to transition from fossil-based fuels to renewables must not be underestimated.
- Stena stands firmly behind the industry’s ambition to eliminate the use of fossil fuels.
- Stena Line converted one of the largest ferries in the world to methanol propulsion.
- Methanol and battery propulsion are two promising options, but we are grateful for the development of other ideas by other operators and are following news in this area closely.
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Source: maritime executive
