Gasum’s bunker vessel Kairos now runs on waste-based bio-LNG, boosting compliance generation for the company’s FuelEU Maritime pooling service.
Gasum, the Nordic energy company renowned for its sustainable fuel solutions, has further cemented its role in the decarbonization of the maritime industry by announcing that its chartered LNG bunker vessel Kairos will now operate using waste-based bio-LNG. This move is designed to generate compliance for customers in Gasum’s FuelEU Maritime pooling service, ensuring shipping companies meet new emissions regulations set to come into effect in 2025.
In collaboration with vessel owner Bernhard Schulte, Gasum has confirmed that the Kairos, which is integral to its bunkering operations, will utilize bio-LNG—a fully renewable fuel with lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions up to 90% lower than fossil fuels. This strategic decision highlights Gasum’s commitment to reducing carbon footprints in maritime transport while providing its customers with a straightforward solution to comply with the EU’s stringent FuelEU Maritime regulations.
FuelEU Maritime Pooling: Compliance Made Simple
Gasum’s involvement in the FuelEU Maritime pooling initiative is pivotal. Under the regulation, starting in 2025, all vessel owners must reduce the carbon intensity of their purchased fuel by at least 2%, with an incremental increase over the years, ultimately achieving an 80% reduction by 2050. This challenge has led to the creation of a voluntary pooling mechanism, which allows vessels that exceed the required emissions reduction to share their surplus with vessels that are under-compliant.
As the charterer of the Kairos, Gasum is well-positioned to supply the necessary over-compliance for its commercial pool. The company will provide ultra-low emission bio-LNG to help shipping companies meet these regulatory targets, ensuring they stay compliant without the risk of regulatory penalties. Gasum’s participation in this initiative guarantees significant emission reductions, creating a more sustainable pathway for the maritime sector.
Seamless Emission Reduction via Bio-LNG
The use of bio-LNG, a renewable alternative to conventional marine fuels, plays a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of maritime operations. Bio-LNG, derived from waste materials, offers a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels and is produced with an exceptionally low carbon footprint.
According to Jacob Granqvist, Vice President of Maritime at Gasum, this transition makes it easier for the company to ensure the emission reductions required for the FuelEU Maritime pool, especially considering the forecasted compliance deficit by the end of 2025. “By using bio-LNG, we are enhancing our ability to meet the compliance needs of our pool, which will be essential as more shipping companies face difficulties in meeting emission reduction targets,” Granqvist said. “There is an expected gap in compliance, making our role even more critical.”
A Collaborative Approach to Decarbonizing Shipping
Christian Breuel, Managing Director of Tankers at Bernhard Schulte, emphasized the importance of collective efforts in decarbonizing the shipping industry. “We are very pleased that Gasum, as charterer, has made the decision to use bio-LNG. This step ensures that the Kairos will further reduce its carbon footprint, aligning with our shared goal of transforming the maritime sector towards sustainability,” Breuel stated.
Gasum’s Commitment to Sustainability and Emission Reductions
As part of its broader sustainability strategy, Gasum aims to offer 7 TWh of renewable gas annually by 2027, including biomethane and e-methane, to customers. Achieving this goal would lead to a reduction of 1.8 million tons of CO2 emissions per year, further supporting the company’s mission to combat climate change through cleaner energy solutions.
Secure FuelEU Maritime Compliance with Gasum’s Pooling Service
The FuelEU Maritime directive is designed to accelerate the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in the maritime industry, helping to achieve substantial emissions reductions. By facilitating the pooling of emission reductions, Gasum offers a flexible and cost-effective solution for shipowners to meet their obligations under the directive. Gasum’s commercial pool enables vessels with over-compliance to offset emissions for those vessels with under-compliance, making the transition to more sustainable fuels easier and more affordable.
For shipowners, Gasum’s commercial pooling system provides numerous benefits:
- Effortless Compliance: Shipowners can pool with over-compliant vessels to achieve the necessary emissions reductions.
- Avoid Penalties: Gasum’s system helps companies meet regulatory standards without risking penalties due to non-compliance.
- Risk Mitigation: Gasum’s pool guarantees the availability of renewable gases despite the uncertainty surrounding biofuel supplies, ensuring consistent access to compliant fuels.
Gasum’s decision to power its Kairos bunkering vessel with bio-LNG is a key step in ensuring maritime compliance under the upcoming FuelEU Maritime regulations. By providing over-compliant vessels to the pool, Gasum offers a simple and cost-effective solution to help shipowners meet emission reduction targets while supporting the decarbonization of the maritime industry. This initiative not only reduces carbon footprints but also strengthens Gasum’s commitment to sustainable energy practices in the maritime sector.
About Gasum
Gasum is a leading energy company in the Nordic region, specializing in providing cleaner energy solutions and expert services for the industry and combined heat and power production. Gasum is committed to helping its customers reduce their carbon footprints through cleaner fuel options, including bio-LNG, and works with partners to promote the development of a carbon-neutral future.
Source Energy Company Gasum