Towage company Svitzer and ro-ro operator Höegh Autoliners have partnered to deliver Svitzer’s first EcoTow solution in Australia, servicing what is regarded as the largest and most environmentally friendly car-carrier vessel class on its call to four Australasian ports.
EcoTow is Svitzer’s proprietary carbon insetting solution, and it has provided a near 100% reduction in the CO2 footprint relating to the towage operations of Höegh Aurora’s port calls during her maiden voyage to Australia. With the EcoTow solution, the carbon emissions from towage jobs are mass balanced by carbon credits generated by Svitzer’s use of biofuel across its international towage operations. The neutralisation effect is established by an external auditor and documented through certification and assurance reporting.
Towage is one of the largest carbon emitters in port operations in Australia, and Svitzer has a comprehensive decarbonisation strategy targeting its reduction, including via biofuel and battery powered tugs. The Höegh Aurora is a multi-fuel capable vessel – cutting CO2 emissions per car transported by 58% compared to the current industry standard.
The uptake of EcoTow by Höegh Autoliners in Australia highlights the significant progress in maritime decarbonisation and potential net zero operations possible in the future.
In September 2024, Svitzer contracted the build of the first battery electric-methanol hybrid TRAnsverse tug – which will offer carbon neutral towage for the majority of the tug’s operations. The tug design offers port authorities and shipping line companies a towage solution able to support sustainable ‘Green Port’ and ‘Green Shipping Corridor’ ambitions.
Sebjørn Dahl, COO Höegh Autoliners, said: “Höegh Autoliners is whole-heartedly set on achieving our 2040 net-zero emissions goal, and the EcoTow agreement with Svitzer on the Höegh Aurora’s visit to Australia illustrates our ongoing commitment in meeting these goals. We are proud to have secured the first-ever, low-carbon towage service in Australia and it is only appropriate that our innovative, world-leading Aurora Class vessel delivers this first, providing the opportunity to further reduce the carbon footprint of our customers’ value chains.”
Svitzer Australia MD, Videlina Georgieva, said: “This is an exciting step forward for decarbonising shipping in Australia – and a demonstration of the significant contribution maritime can make toward a net zero future. We commend Höegh Autoliners for the industry leadership they have shown and their commitment to driving a cleaner, more sustainable future. We are thankful for the opportunity to work closely with our customers to reduce emissions while also providing sustainable, safe and reliable marine services. Svitzer has ambitious decarbonisation goals to have fully carbon neutral operations by 2040 and to reduce the carbon intensity of its tugboat fleet by 50% by 2030. We hope this initiative provides some further impetus to the policy landscape in Australia where there is a major, but largely unmet, opportunity to accelerate bioenergy and electrification solutions in maritime decarbonisation.”
Höegh Aurora’s maiden voyage to Australia occurred in late December 2024, departing on 30 December after completing a four-port visit to Australia where it transported cars to the Australian retail automotive market via ports at Fremantle, Melbourne, Port Kembla and Brisbane.
Image: Svitzer and Höegh Autoliners are joining to provide low-carbon operations in Australia (source: Höegh Autoliners)
