When sailing to Stockholm, and back to Gothenburg, the ship Götheborg uses RME biodiesel, made from rapeseed oil, instead of marine diesel in two of its four fuel tanks. The initiative is part of a bigger sustainability commitment to minimise the ship’s environmental impact and promote solutions for a more sustainable world.
Despite being a sailing ship, Götheborg needs generators to run all systems on board, and engines for situations when the ship cannot sail or when engines are needed in addition to the sails.
”As part of our commitment to minimise our environmental impact, we are now doing a trial with biofuels”, said Peter Alexandersson, CEO of SOIC Ship Management. “ We want to show that it works and that there are considerable environmental gains to be made from using renewable fuels. To slow down global warming, the reduction of CO2 emissions is the biggest challenge that we face, and this is a way for us to take concrete action. Sustainability is a key focus for both us and our expedition to Asia in 2022.”
The ship Götheborg’s engines are from the early 2000s and SOIC Ship Management has worked to find a solution with renewable fuel for minimal climate impact, without having to replace the engines. As a result, the RME fuel Verdis Polaris Marina from Adesso Bioproducts is now being used during the journey to and from Stockholm.
”The marine segment is a market that is still very early in the transition to fuels with a lower climate impact”, said Lars Lind, CEO at Adesso Bioproducts. “ We believe that liquid biofuels play an important role in this transition, as it will still take many years before extensive use of electric engines become a reality. In the meantime, biofuels have an instant positive effect on emission levels. We are very pleased that the ship Götheborg has chosen our product as part of their sustainability efforts, and we see them as a powerful symbol for a growing insight that the marine sector needs to take responsibility for their climate footprint.”
On an average day while sailing, the ship uses around 1.6 cubic meters of fuel. For safety reasons during the trial of the RME biofuels, conventional marine diesel is used in half of the fuel tanks on board the ship.
“ Götheborg has made a brave decision that demonstrates a power action to reduce their climate impact now”, said Victor Norberg at 2050 Consulting, sustainability advisor to Götheborg. “When using biofuels in all fuel tanks, the ship can reduce her emissions with more than 60 percent, compared with using conventional marine diesel. The international shipping industry today accounts for about 2 percent of the global climate emissions. By simply requesting alternative fuels for the upcoming Asian expedition, Götheborg sends a clear statement that there is a demand for sustainable marine fuels.”
Greencarrier och Göteborgs Stad är överens om att vilja skapa en långsiktig hemvist för Ostindiefararen vid Masthuggskajen. Målet är att fartyget ska spela huvudrollen i ett nytt historiskt upplevelsecentrum som ska stå klart 2031, och bidra till ett mer levande kajstråk nära Järntorget.
During the evening we will be joined by Mats Berggren, who during the construction period represented the Swedish Maritime Administration as a determined and persistent inspector, and Marie-Louise Edholm, who took part in building the rigging, has sailed with the ship, and has been responsible for the maintenance of the rig. You will gain insight into traditional craftsmanship, material choices, and the many challenges involved in combining historical authenticity with modern safety and operational requirements. If you were involved during this period, perhaps you have a story of your own to share. We would love to hear it! About halfway through the lecture, coffee and pastries will be available for purchase. All proceeds will go directly toward the re-rigging of the ship. Registration is free of charge. Please register by emailing: vanner@gotheborg.se A warm welcome! The Friends of East Indiaman Götheborg Association
Following growing interest in the future of the East Indiaman Götheborg, Greencarrier now presents detailed plans for a new permanent quay location and an adjacent experience center at Masthuggskajen in Gothenburg. The ambition is to create a new destination in the city ahead of the 300th anniversary of the Swedish East India Company in 2031. The first vision images are now being presented.