Finnlines launches ”Green Lane” – a new maritime transport service that combines sustainability and efficient cargo handling. The company’s customers can now choose between two low-emission alternatives: electric propulsion or biofuel.
With Finnlines' optional "Green Lane", the shipping company's customers have the opportunity to meet increasingly stringent environmental requirements and ambitious energy saving goals.
Electric transport between Sweden and Finland
Finnlines is launching a 100 percent electric transport option on the busy Kapellskär–Nådendal route, operated by the company’s newest hybrid vessels Finnsirius and Finncanopus. This will be the cleanest option for maritime transport on the market.
The ships are equipped with 5 MWh batteries that are charged at berth with shore power. The stored energy is used at sea to replace fossil fuels, enabling a green transport corridor for certain cargo units.
”Our main goal is to reduce emissions and we are already seeing concrete results. Since the introduction of our hybrid vessels Finnsirius and Finncanopus, we have been able to offer our customers more efficient and sustainable maritime transport services. Despite the significant increase in cargo capacity on the Kapellskär–Nådendal route, the total carbon dioxide emissions per nautical mile have decreased by 22 percent,” says Antonio Raimo, Line Manager at Finnlines.
Biofuels enable low-carbon transport
The second ”Green Lane” option offers maritime transport with biofuels from renewable sources. The service is offered on short-haul routes in the Baltic Sea region that are important for security of supply, namely Kapellskär–Nådendal, Malmö–Travemünde, Malmö–Świnoujście and Hanko–Gdynia.
By choosing the ”Green Lane” and the biofuel option, Finnlines is committing to replacing the amount of fossil fuel required for transport with biofuel. This can reduce the total greenhouse gas emissions of transport – from extraction to use – by up to 90 percent compared to traditional fossil fuels.
”We want to offer our customers concrete solutions that help them achieve their climate goals. Both options ensure low emissions – for example, biofuel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 700 kg per trailer on the Hanko–Gdynia route,” says Merja Kallio-Mannila, Commercial Director at Finnlines.
”Green Lane” for passengers
”Green Lane” will also be available to passengers on Finnlines’ routes: Kapellskär–Långnäs–Nådendal, Helsinki–Travemünde, Malmö–Travemünde and Malmö–Świnoujście. If the passenger chooses this option, Finnlines will use renewable biofuels to replace the equivalent amount of fossil fuels – reducing emissions per passenger on the route.
Methanol-powered ships strengthen the green transition
Finnlines has been committed to providing economically and environmentally sustainable services for decades. The company has made extensive investments to improve energy efficiency and renew its fleet. Over the past twenty years, Finnlines has ordered or purchased twenty ships – a total investment of almost two billion euros.
To continue modernizing its fleet, Finnlines has ordered three new methanol-powered vessels, which are expected to enter service on the Helsinki–Travemünde route in 2028–2029.
”"In April, we announced a new investment program that includes three methanol-powered ropax vessels that will operate on the route between Finland and Germany. These new – as well as previous – investments make it possible for us to offer our customers fossil-free freight transport. There has been great interest and we are convinced that demand will increase in the future," says Thomas Doepel, CEO of Finnlines.
”"Green Lane" launches in May
Finnlines' alternative "Green Lane" will be launched on May 22, 2025 for both freight and passenger transport.
According to the press release.
