Passenger ships on a Green Journey
17 June 2019
Johan Rostin, Chief Executive of ForSea Ferries, says sustainable shipping brings commercial as well as reputational rewards
The cruise and ferry sectors are at the forefront of shipping’s drive towards greater sustainability. Zero emission battery power is already becoming a commercial reality, as a propulsion solution over short distances or as auxiliary power to boost ship efficiency, while the power capacity available to fuel cells using hydrogen is also on the rise.
Few shipping companies have embarked on their 'Green Journey’ with more commitment than Sweden’s ForSea Ferries. Since last November batteries have been powering its ferries Tycho Brahe and Aurora between Helsingborg and Helsingør, making the 20 minute crossing the first intensive operation of its kind in the world. ForSea even charges its batteries from renewable sources.
"In Scandinavia people are passionate about environmental protection,” says ForSea Ferries Johan Rostin. "They want action and not just talk.”
The appetite for sustainability is also a feature of the fast-growing expedition cruise market, where guests seeking to explore the remote wonders of nature prefer to do so onboard environmentally responsible ships. Sustainable technologies are central to 'smart shipping’ - one of the key themes at Europort 2019. In fact, this year’s event even includes a special 'Reducing the carbon footprint of ferries and cruise ships’ Masterclass, scheduled for Friday 8th November.
Rostin, says ForSea’s 'green journey’ has already passed some significant milestones, "Over the first quarter of this year our bunker fuel consumption was halved compared to Q1 2018, saving around 4,500 tons of CO2 in just three months. Our workforce also tell us they really feel the reduction in vibration levels onboard, and it is much quieter - for passengers and crew, and for residents living close to the ports.”
It is a journey that can also have other welcome benefits, adds Rostin. "As we approach the busy summer months our passenger bookings are increasing. More people want to travel on our ferries simply because they are battery powered.”
For more information on the Europort ferry and cruise ship Masterclass go to: https://www.europort.nl/programme/masterclasses
The cruise and ferry sectors are at the forefront of shipping’s drive towards greater sustainability. Zero emission battery power is already becoming a commercial reality, as a propulsion solution over short distances or as auxiliary power to boost ship efficiency, while the power capacity available to fuel cells using hydrogen is also on the rise.
Few shipping companies have embarked on their 'Green Journey’ with more commitment than Sweden’s ForSea Ferries. Since last November batteries have been powering its ferries Tycho Brahe and Aurora between Helsingborg and Helsingør, making the 20 minute crossing the first intensive operation of its kind in the world. ForSea even charges its batteries from renewable sources.
"In Scandinavia people are passionate about environmental protection,” says ForSea Ferries Johan Rostin. "They want action and not just talk.”
The appetite for sustainability is also a feature of the fast-growing expedition cruise market, where guests seeking to explore the remote wonders of nature prefer to do so onboard environmentally responsible ships. Sustainable technologies are central to 'smart shipping’ - one of the key themes at Europort 2019. In fact, this year’s event even includes a special 'Reducing the carbon footprint of ferries and cruise ships’ Masterclass, scheduled for Friday 8th November.
Rostin, says ForSea’s 'green journey’ has already passed some significant milestones, "Over the first quarter of this year our bunker fuel consumption was halved compared to Q1 2018, saving around 4,500 tons of CO2 in just three months. Our workforce also tell us they really feel the reduction in vibration levels onboard, and it is much quieter - for passengers and crew, and for residents living close to the ports.”
It is a journey that can also have other welcome benefits, adds Rostin. "As we approach the busy summer months our passenger bookings are increasing. More people want to travel on our ferries simply because they are battery powered.”
For more information on the Europort ferry and cruise ship Masterclass go to: https://www.europort.nl/programme/masterclasses