X-Press Feeders has launched Europe’s first feeder network powered by green methanol. This network will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 65%, marking a significant milestone in sustainable shipping.
The feeder network’s inauguration was celebrated last month with the naming and christening of X-Press Feeders’ first dual-fuel methanol-powered vessel, Eco-Maestro, in Rotterdam.
X-Press Feeders chose northern Europe for the first routes in the network because we found that customers in this part of Europe were most receptive to our plans for sustainable shipping
X-Press Feeders Chief Operating Officer, Francis Goh
Eco-Maestro is the first of 14 dual-fuel ships ordered by the company. X-Press Feeders plans to deploy these vessels mostly on European routes, creating Europe’s first feeder network powered by green methanol.
The initiative coincides with the EU’s implementation of an emissions trading scheme (ETS) for maritime shipping this year, encouraging shippers to use more sustainable shipping channels. Fuel EU maritime regulations starting in January 2025 will also mandate reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity from energy used on board ships.
X-Press Feeders’ first methanol-powered feeder network offers the following services:
- Green Finland X-PRESS (GFX): Rotterdam > Antwerp Bruges > Helsinki > Tallinn > HaminaKotka > Rotterdam
- Green Baltic X-PRESS (GBX): Rotterdam > Antwerp Bruges > Klaipeda > Riga > Rotterdam
-We plan to steadily expand the green network across Europe as we take delivery of our dual-fuel vessels,” he adds. Eco Maestro is the first to join the network, while the second dual-fuel vessel will join by Q3 2024, adds Mr. Goh.
Collaborative Partnerships Fuel Europe’s First Green Methanol-Powered Feeder Network
The company chose the Port of Rotterdam as the base for Europe’s first feeder network powered by green methanol because Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and is fully equipped to handle green methanol refueling.
Today marks a significant milestone in sustainable shipping in Europe because companies here now have a regularly scheduled network that can ship goods in a way that has less impact on the environment, helping companies to achieve their sustainability goals better.
X-Press Feeders Chief Operating Officer, Francis Goh
The feeder network based on green methanol is also the result of extensive collaboration between X-Press Feeders and several other key partners, such as the ports of Antwerp, Bruges, HaminaKotka, Helsinki, Klaipeda, Riga, and Tallinn.
These partnerships support the methanol-powered feeder network and ensure seamless, sustainable logistics across the region.
Also read: X-Press Feeders Signs MOU with Six European Ports for Green Shipping Corridors.
About Green bio-methanol
Green bio-methanol is a more sustainable fuel because it is a renewable energy source that decomposes organic matter, such as waste and residues.
X-Press Feeders uses green methanol independently certified in Europe under ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification).