Sweden-headquartered eFuel company Liquid Wind, energy supplier Umeå Energi and Finnish ferry operator Wasaline have signed a letter of intent (LoI) for the sale and purchase of eMethanol from the eFuel facility in Umeå, Sweden.
The LoI enables Liquid Wind, Umeå Energi and Wasaline to jointly explore opportunities to fuel the northernmost shipping line in the world, Wasaline, with eMethanol from the FlagshipThree plant in Umeå. Wasaline’s hybrid ferry, Aurora Botnia, is already equipped with dual-fuel engines and batteries. The company’s goal is to fully decarbonise the ferry operations between Vaasa in Finland and Umeå in Sweden.
Claes Fredriksson, CEO and Founder, Liquid Wind, said: “We are proud to partner with Wasaline to power the Aurora Botnia ferry with eMethanol. The Letter of Intent showcases the strong possibilities and growing demand for eFuels in the Nordics and beyond. Together with Umeå Energi, we are now putting local and regional infrastructure and supply in place, in Northern Sweden.”
Jan Ridfeldt, CEO Umeå Energi, added: “I am delighted that we are expanding our alliance with Liquid Wind and welcoming Wasaline to our esteemed list of partners. This cross-border collaboration is pivotal for us as we strive to make the essential shift towards a sustainable future.”
Peter Ståhlberg, MD Wasaline, said: “Together with Liquid Wind and Umeå Energi, we are investigating the possibilities and challenges in decarbonising our route as part of a green corridor between Vaasa and Umeå. By using eMethanol as one option, we would use electrofuel that is locally produced, which also minimises the transport distances. We are eager to investigate this option together.”
Production from Liquid Wind’s eFuel facility project FlagshipThree is expected to begin in 2027, with 100,000t/yr of eMethanol.
Image: ‘Aurora Botnia’ (credit: Wasaline)
