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Finnish firms work on carbon-neutral sea route between Turku, Stockholm
Kempower, Rauma Marine Constructions, Viking Line and Åbo Akademi University have embarked on a project to come up with solutions that enable carbon-neutral shipping between Turku, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden.
The route would serve as a so-called green corridor for both cargo and passengers between the two port cities, aligning with an environmentally friendly transport plan outlined by the EU in 2007.
The four partners will initially look to offset the carbon emissions of a route operated by Viking Line, relying on zero-carbon fuel produced in Southwest Finland and technology developed by Kempower and Rauma Marine Constructions. Åbo Akademi, meanwhile, will be tasked with evaluating the societal benefits created by the green corridor.
“The solutions developed in the project will enable fully carbon-neutral freight and passenger travel between Turku and Stockholm,” saidMika Laurilehto, interim chief executive at Rauma Marine Constructions.
“But the project will also be scalable to other routes.”
Magnus Gustafsson, research director of industrial management at Åbo Akademi, estimated that the route could be decarbonised by 2027.
“The project is starting from the position that the transition to zero emissions will not increase the costs significantly. This will provide passengers with a sustainable alternative, an opportunity for the industry to gain [a] competitive advantage in sustainable transport and a tangible example of how we can eliminate emissions in seafaring using Finnish expertise,” he commented.
Business Finland has granted nearly 1.6 million euros in funding for the project. Viking Line, which is ineligible for funding from the public organisation for being domiciled on Åland, has received support from the Government of Åland.