How a functioning, more environmentally friendly supply chain can be successfully implemented was demonstrated recently by the Port of Gothenburg, Stena Line, the Port of Kiel and the Port of Hamburg as organizers and others at the ‘Green transport corridors – linking Europe and Scandinavia’ event in Gothenburg.
Marina Basso Michael, Regional Director Europe, Port of Hamburg Marketing said: “The shipping industry is currently under considerable pressure to accelerate the process of decarbonisation. However, it cannot achieve this transformation single-handedly. The efforts towards decarbonisation must unite the broader industry, involving ports, shippers, carriers, manufacturers, investors, energy suppliers, and policymakers. The example of Stena Line, on the ‘Gothenburg-Kiel’ route, shows what is already possible.”
For 55 years, Stena Line and its ferries have formed the backbone of Swedish-German trade on the Kiel-Gothenburg route.
Katrin Verner, Stena Line Freight Commercial Manager said: “Every maritime link is just as strong as the cooperation between all parties, which is why we put a lot of efforts in finding the right solution for each individual demand – be it accompanied or unaccompanied cargo, project load or intermodal solutions. Efficiency and reliability are key in all transport plannings. On Kiel-Göteborg, our customers benefit from a daily frequency, allowing them to send their cargo over night from Northern Germany to Western Sweden and beyond.”
Stena Line is not only testing new alternative fuels such as methanol on this route with the Stena Germanica. The shipping company has been using shore power, which is available in both ports, for a long time.
Mikko Juelich, Stena Line Trade Director Germany added: “As one of the largest ferry operators worldwide, we are aware of our responsibility to sustainably transform our business, which we face every day with ambition and optimism. We are convinced that we will still be able to offer attractive services in light of upcoming stricter regulation, which is both demanding and necessary. We count on our partners and customers, that they will continue to share our vision of connecting Europe for a sustainable future.”
The shipping company receives great support from the two ports of Gothenburg and Kiel. The ships on the line have been able to use shore power here for years. At the same time, the port of Gothenburg is used to bunker the methanol.
Göran Eriksson, CEO Port of Gothenburg said: “We highly appreciate the ambitious steps that Stena Line has taken when it comes to paving the way for amongst others onshore power supply which has been in use for the last twenty years and ship to ship bunkering of methanol. Germany is among Sweden’s largest trading partners and through the long term cooperation that has been in place between Stena Line, the Port of Kiel, the Port of Hamburg and the Port of Gothenburg, we have been able to deliver competitive and sustainable logistical solutions for the industry.”
Dr Dirk Claus, MD Port of Kiel added: “We are pleased to be working with our Scandinavian partners on the future of this special transport and logistics route in order to make it even more environmentally friendly, digital and future-proof at all levels.”
