Tallink Grupp is taking another important step towards more sustainable shipping. The company's newest shuttle vessel MyStar has in recent months on several occasions bunkered bio-LNG, a renewable fuel that contributes to significantly reducing emissions compared to fossil fuels. The goal is to gradually switch to bio-LNG on both MyStar and Megastar.
Bio-LNG, or biogas in liquid form, is produced from organic waste and other renewable raw materials. While the fuel is already widely used in land-based transport and industry, its use in shipping is now increasing. As one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions in shipping, bio-LNG is a central part of the green transition in the industry.
“We can now gradually increase the proportion of bio-LNG in line with its availability and price development. Our goal is to completely replace the LNG used for MyStar and Megastar with bio-LNG within the coming year,” says Paavo Nõgene, CEO of Tallink Grupp.
Tallink Grupp's shuttle vessels Megastar and MyStar, which operate on the Tallinn-Helsinki route, are already the most environmentally friendly vessels on their route. This is because they are powered by LNG, i.e. liquefied natural gas. By including bio-LNG in the fuel mix, emissions can be further reduced and contribute to cleaner shipping in the Baltic Sea region.
– The move to bio-LNG marks a clear milestone in our sustainability work. Our industry faces major challenges when it comes to transitioning, and the fact that we have already started using a renewable fuel such as bio-LNG on our newest ship shows that we can reduce our climate impact here and now and at the same time take important steps in the long-term work towards more sustainable shipping, says Henrik Johansson, Vice President and Head of Sustainable Development at Tallink Silja AB.
Deliveries to Tallink Grupp are made in cooperation with the energy company Elenger, which operates in the Finland-Baltic region. Elenger ensures that all bio-LNG is accompanied by certificates confirming its renewable origin and that the fuel meets international standards.
– Tallink Grupp was among the first shipping companies in the Baltic Sea to invest in new technology and started using LNG already in 2017. Now they are taking the next step towards bio-LNG, and Elenger has had the privilege of supporting them throughout this journey, says Margus Kaasik, CEO of Elenger Group.
The transition to the new fuel will not necessarily mean higher ticket prices for passengers or freight customers. Although bio-LNG is a more expensive fuel, it does mean lower CO₂ quota requirements than fossil alternatives.
According to the press release.
