Since the deployment of its double-ended ferries on the Fehmarn Belt, Scandlines has reduced CO2 emissions by more than 50%, which has resulted in the presentation of the IJGlobal Corporate Transition Award – Infrastructure.
IJGlobal ESG Awards are designed to celebrate organisations, transactions and individuals who have truly turned the dial on the environmental, social and governance front within International Infrastructure and Energy Finance. Activities may include internal ESG policies, investment decisions or a commitment to third-party ESG initiatives. Scandlines won the award for its innovative capacity and leading role. The award highlights Scandlines’ ability to translate environmental, social and governance initiatives in the best possible way and recognises the company’s courage to be at the forefront of innovative solutions in green ferry operations.
The international jury highlighted, among other things, the various ground-breaking projects Scandlines has implemented to continuously reduce the environmental impact of ferry operations. As early as 2013, Scandlines invested in hybrid ferries combining traditional diesel propulsion with electric battery propulsion, thus reducing CO2 emissions by up to 15% on the Puttgarden-Rødby route. In 2022, Scandlines completed an investment project in new thrusters (propulsion system) for the Fehmarn Belt ferries of €13m. The new thrusters reduce CO2 emissions by another 15% and ensure a more homogeneous flow through the water, resulting in less noise and vibration.
In 2020 and 2022, the ferry operator added environmentally friendly wind propulsion technology to the list of green initiatives by installing a rotor sail on the hybrid ferries Copenhagen and Berlin, which operate on the Rostock-Gedser route between Germany and Denmark. With the rotor sail, Scandlines turns down diesel engines, turns up the use of wind power and reduces CO2 emissions from the hybrid ferries by an average of 4% – and on good days with optimal wind conditions by as much as 20%.
By 2024, Scandlines will have invested €380m in green technology; in the same year, the ferry operator will deploy the first zero direct emission ferry with the world’s largest battery bank on the Puttgarden-Rødby route. Only six years later, in 2030, the entire route will be emission-free. With a target to make the entire company emission-free by 2040, Scandlines sets itself higher goals than the Paris Agreement, which aims for zero emission by 2050.
Scandlines COO Michael Guldmann Petersen said: ”I am proud to lead Scandlines’ ESG initiatives. Since their deployment, we have reduced CO2 emissions from the double-ended ferries operating the Puttgarden-Rødby route by more than 50% – thanks to new technologies, but not least training and experience sharing between our dedicated and curious employees, who are great at identifying new, energy-improving measures. Next step is zero emission ferry operation – our first ferry will be inserted already in 2024.” says .
Scandlines CEO Carsten Nørland added: ”Scandlines is a frontrunner in green ferry operations. Sustainability goals are best achieved, when they go hand in hand with economic goals. This is exactly what IJGlobal recognises.”
