Outokumpu and Langh Ship Forge Green Shipping Alliance to Cut Carbon Emissions

Outokumpu and Langh Ship Forge Green Shipping Alliance to Cut Carbon Emissions

(IN BRIEF) Outokumpu, a leading provider of sustainable stainless steel, has partnered with Finnish shipping firm Langh Ship to revolutionize short sea liner operations. By introducing energy-efficient and low-emission vessels, such as the inaugural multipurpose vessel Lovisa, Outokumpu aims to slash its annual carbon emissions from maritime transport by a minimum of 25% by the close of 2024. This collaboration not only aligns with Outokumpu’s commitment to ambitious climate targets but also underscores a proactive response to tightening environmental regulations from entities like the EU and the International Maritime Organization. Through innovative measures like utilizing fossil-free fuels and installing carbon capture units, the alliance seeks to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape while championing sustainability in the maritime sector.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 5-Mar-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Outokumpu, the global leader in sustainable stainless steel, is deepening its long-term transport collaboration with Finnish shipping company Langh Ship, by taking into use new energy-efficient and low-emission vessels during 2024. The first multipurpose vessel, Lovisa, has started its liner service for Outokumpu between Finland and the Netherlands. Outokumpu aims to have six vessels in use from Langh Ship during the year with a target to reduce Outokumpu’s annual carbon emissions from short sea shipping by at least 25% by the end of 2024. The collaboration presents a positive outcome from the opportunity aligned with tightening environmental regulations from both the EU and the International Maritime Organization (IMO)* – allowing Outokumpu and Langh Ship to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape while pursuing sustainability targets.

“Outokumpu is committed to ambitious science-based climate targets in line with the 1.5°C ambition. We aim to decrease direct and indirect emissions as well as emissions from the supply chain by 42% per tonne of stainless steel we produce by 2030 compared to the 2016 baseline. At EU level, maritime transport represents 3 to 4% of the EU’s total CO2 emissions**, so all solutions are heavily needed in this sector. The route between Tornio and Terneuzen is of utmost importance to us in transporting coils to the European market and in bringing recycled steel to our melt shop in Tornio. We are pleased to start utilizing three new vessels by Langh Ship and in addition, develop the three old ones by installing carbon capture units from Langh Tech to further support emission reduction goals”, says Jyrki Sandelin, Category Manager for transports at Outokumpu.

The new vessels by Langh Ship will run with various fossil-free fuels in the near future 

Lovisa will carry raw materials from Terneuzen in the Netherlands to Tornio in Finland, and semi-finished and finished steel products from Tornio back to Terneuzen. The new and more versatile vessels can take more tonnages out from Outokumpu’s road traffic to sea and further reduce the company’s carbon footprint from transport. As Tornio and the sea channel leading to it is covered by ice half of the year, Lovisa has been built for ice class 1A to endure the northern winter conditions.

“We are proud to have added a newbuilding to Langh Ship’s fleet. It has been a pleasure to work together with Outokumpu to plan the newbuilding series to be energy-efficient and with minimal emissions, and we are looking forward to having the two sister-vessel newbuildings in Outokumpu’s charter soon as well,” says Laura Langh-Lagerlöf, Managing Director, Langh Ship.

Lovisa is equipped with a dual fuel main engine with an output of 4,500 kW. In the future, the vessel can be converted to run with various fossil-free fuels. As the initial fuel it will use liquefied natural gas, LNG, which can be directly replaced by liquefied biogas (LBG). Furthermore, the vessel is prepared for installation of onshore power, which would make it emission-free during port calls. For handling ballast water, Lovisa is equipped with the Ballast Water Management System from Langh Tech. The system eliminates the risk of harmful invasive species.

*) International Maritime Organization: 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships
**) European Comission: Reducing emissions from the shipping sector

About Langh Ship 

Langh Ship is a Southern Finland based ship owning company, with ten multi-purpose and container vessels currently in its fleet. The company also has five additional new buildings on the way. Langh Ship is part of the the Langh Companies, which also includes scrubber manufacturer Langh Tech, steel carriage and bulk containers from Langh Cargo Solutions and Industrial and Ship Cleaning Services Hans Langh.

Media Contact:

Outokumpu:
Päivi Allenius
SVP – Communications and Brand
tel. +358 40 753 7374

Outokumpu media phone
+358 40 351 9840
e-mail media(at)outokumpu.com

Langh Ship:
Laura Langh-Lagerlöf
Managing Director
tel. +358 40 583 8874
laura.langh@langh.fi

SOURCE: Outokumpu Oyj