Svitzer, a global leader in towage services, has announced that its tugboats operating in the Port of Esbjerg, Denmark, will transition to biofuels starting February 1, 2025. This move aligns with the port’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and contributes to the broader decarbonization efforts within the maritime industry.
Under this new initiative, Svitzer’s tugboats will operate using hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a sustainable biofuel alternative. Additionally, customers utilizing Svitzer’s towing services at the port will be subject to the EcoBAF (Ecofriendly Bunker Adjustment Factor), which accounts for the cost differences associated with the shift to biofuels.
Industry Leaders Support the Move Toward Green Towage
Mathias Jonasson, Managing Director of Svitzer Scandinavia, emphasized the company’s commitment to carbon-neutral operations by 2040. He highlighted the importance of collaboration with like-minded stakeholders to achieve this ambitious goal.
“At Svitzer, we are committed to decarbonizing our operations, which must be carbon neutral by 2040. We can only achieve this ambition by working with like-minded partners and customers. I’m both proud and excited that Port of Esbjerg and Grimaldi share our commitment to creating cleaner operations to benefit local communities and nature in Esbjerg and the West Coast of Jutland,” Jonasson stated.
Dennis Pedersen, CEO of Esbjerg Port, reaffirmed the port’s dedication to sustainability, referencing its commitment to the “Getting to Zero Coalition” and its target of becoming CO2 neutral by 2030.
“We acknowledge that transitioning to biofuels comes with additional costs for our customers using our port facilities. But it is a necessary next step in the green transition; that’s why I’m very grateful that both Grimaldi and Svitzer understand this and will now use cleaner fuels,” Pedersen said.
Paul Kyprianou, External Relations Manager at the Grimaldi Group, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the company’s long-term investment in reducing emissions and the importance of the EcoBAF approach in driving the shipping industry toward sustainability.
Biofuel Bunkering and the Maritime Energy Transition
The shift to biofuels, particularly HVO, represents a crucial step in the maritime industry’s ongoing energy transition. As ship operators seek alternatives to traditional fossil fuels, biofuels provide a viable solution with significantly lower carbon emissions. HVO, derived from waste oils and fats, offers a cleaner combustion process, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality in port areas.
Biofuel bunkering has been gaining traction across European ports, with several major shipping companies adopting the fuel to meet regulatory and corporate sustainability targets. The introduction of EcoBAF by Svitzer reflects the industry’s acknowledgment that transitioning to greener fuels involves added costs but is essential for long-term environmental and economic sustainability.
As ports and shipping companies continue to embrace biofuel alternatives, initiatives like Svitzer’s in Esbjerg signal a broader industry shift toward low-carbon operations, supporting global decarbonization goals and regulatory requirements.
About Svitzer
Founded in 1833, Svitzer builds on nearly 200 years of experience, providing port and terminal towage services worldwide. Operating a fleet of 456 vessels, Svitzer serves approximately 2,000 customers in 141 ports and 40 terminals across 37 countries, reinforcing its position as a key player in global maritime infrastructure.
Source Svitzer