Independent container feeder shipping company X-Press Feeders has begun what it believes to be Europe’s first scheduled feeder network in which the vessels are powered by green methanol, a sustainable marine fuel that reduces GHG emissions by up to 65%.
The service begins following the naming in Rotterdam of Eco Maestro, X-Press Feeders’ first dual-fuel methanol-powered vessel. This is the first of 14 dual-fuel vessels X-Press Feeders has on order. X-Press Feeders plans to deploy these vessels mostly on routes in Europe, creating Europe’s first feeder network powered by green methanol. Eco Maestro is the first to join the network while the second dual-fuel vessel will join by Q3 2024.
The initiative coincides with the implementation of the EU ETS emissions trading scheme for maritime shipping, creating an impetus for shippers to use more sustainable shipping channels. Fuel EU Maritime regulations starting in January 2025 will mandate the reduction of GHG emission intensity on energy used on board ships.
X-Press Feeders first methanol-powered feeder network services the ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp Bruges, Helsinki, Tallinn, HaminaKotka, Klaipeda, and Riga.
Green bio-methanol is considered sustainable because it is a renewable energy source produced from the decomposition of organic matter, such as waste and residues. X-Press Feeders is using green methanol that is independently certified in Europe under ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification). The company chose the Port of Rotterdam as the base for Europe’s first feeder network powered by green methanol because Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and is fully equipped to handle green methanol refuelling.
X-Press Feeders says that its extensive collaboration with key partners, such as the ports of Antwerp Bruges, HaminaKotka, Helsinki, Klaipeda, Riga, and Tallinn, has proved crucial in supporting the methanol-powered feeder network and ensuring seamless, sustainable logistics across the region.
COO X-Press Feeders Francis Goh said: “Today marks a significant milestone in sustainable shipping in Europe because companies here now have a regular scheduled network that can ship goods in a way that has less impact on the environment, helping companies to better achieve their sustainability goals. X-Press Feeders chose northern Europe for the first routes in the network because we found that customers in this part of Europe were most receptive to our plans for sustainable shipping. We plan to steadily expand the green network across Europe as we take delivery of our dual-fuel vessels. X-Press Feeders is committed to playing a vital role in decarbonizing the maritime industry and being at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.”
Image: ‘Eco Maestro’, first of X-Press Feeders’ green methanol fuelled fleet (source: X-Press Feeders)
