Viking Line Joins Gasum’s FuelEU Maritime Pool to Boost Bio-LNG Adoption and Cut Emissions

Viking Line Joins Gasum’s FuelEU Maritime Pool to Boost Bio-LNG Adoption and Cut Emissions

(IN BRIEF) Gasum has partnered with Finnish shipping company Viking Line to include its LNG-powered vessels in the FuelEU Maritime pooling service, enabling compliance with EU carbon reduction targets. Viking Line will contribute over-compliance by operating its daily routes with renewable bio-LNG, which cuts emissions by over 90% compared to fossil fuels. This collaboration aligns with the EU’s FuelEU Maritime regulation, which mandates gradual reductions in carbon intensity, aiming for 80% by 2050. Gasum’s service allows under-compliant vessels to offset emissions through pooled reductions, promoting the adoption of low-carbon fuels like bio-LNG.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESPOO, 22-Nov-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Gasum, a leading energy company, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Finnish shipping operator Viking Line to join its FuelEU Maritime pooling service, a groundbreaking initiative that enables vessels running on conventional fuels to benefit from renewable bio-LNG. Viking Line, renowned for its LNG-powered vessels transporting passengers and cargo between Finland and Sweden, plans to contribute over-compliance to the pool by using bio-LNG on its daily routes.

Bio-LNG, derived from waste and manure, achieves a more than 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fossil fuels like marine gas oil (MGO). By participating in the pooling service, Viking Line will significantly enhance its environmental credentials while supporting broader sustainability goals in the maritime sector.

“We are delighted to welcome Viking Line to our FuelEU Maritime pooling service,” said Jacob Granqvist, Vice President, Maritime at Gasum. “Their commitment to over-compliance with bio-LNG creates a unique opportunity for us to provide cost-effective compliance solutions for vessels using conventional fuels, while promoting the production and use of renewable maritime fuels.”

Viking Line’s CEO, Jan Hanses, emphasized the importance of sustainability in their operations. “Taking meaningful steps toward greener maritime transport is a top priority for us. Joining Gasum’s pooling service aligns perfectly with our goals, as it allows us to reduce emissions and contribute to Green Maritime Corridors. It’s an easy yet impactful decision to help further decarbonize the sector.”

Accelerating Maritime Decarbonization

Viking Line joins Wasaline as a key over-compliance contributor to Gasum’s FuelEU Maritime pooling service. Gasum manages the pool, supplies ultra-low-emission bio-LNG, and offers over-compliance opportunities for shipping companies operating conventional fuel vessels.

The service aligns with the European Union’s FuelEU Maritime regulation, which mandates incremental reductions in the carbon intensity of maritime fuel, starting with a 2% reduction in 2025 and rising to 80% by 2050. By permitting the pooling of emission reductions, the regulation allows over-compliant vessels to offset emissions for under-compliant ones, creating a collaborative approach to compliance.

Bio-LNG is a fully renewable, low-carbon fuel with lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions up to 90% lower than those of traditional fossil fuels. Gasum’s goal is to supply 7 TWh of renewable gases, including biomethane and e-methane, to its customers annually by 2027.

Through this partnership, Viking Line and Gasum demonstrate the critical role of innovative solutions like pooling in achieving maritime decarbonization, providing cost-effective pathways for sustainability and supporting the global transition toward a low-carbon future.

About Gasum

The energy company Gasum is a Nordic gas sector and energy market expert. Gasum offers cleaner energy and energy market expert services for industry and for combined heat and power production as well as cleaner fuel solutions for road and maritime transport. The company helps its customers to reduce their own carbon footprint as well as that of their customers. www.gasum.com

About Viking Line

Viking Line is the market-leading brand in passenger traffic on the Baltic Sea, operating routes between Sweden, Åland, and Finland, as well as between Finland and Estonia. The shipping company offers passenger services, recreation, and freight transport with the vessels Viking Cinderella, Viking Grace, Viking Glory, Gabriella, and Viking XPRS. The annual traffic volume amounts to 5 million passengers and approximately 130,000 freight units. Read more at www.vikingline.com

Media Contact:

Jacob Granqvist
Vice President, Maritime, Gasum
+358 40 483 9129
jacob.granqvist@gasum.com

SOURCE: Gasum