Norwegian RoRo leader UECC achieved a massive 154,468-ton CO2 reduction in 2025, driven by a strategic 71% surge in bioLNG utilization across its European maritime network. New Sustainability Manager Steinar Rinvik Spinnangr recently takes the helm as the company nears its 2030 emissions targets through advanced multi-fuel PCTCs and “Sail for Change” partnerships. This breakthrough reinforces UECC’s path to Net Zero by 2040, providing customers significant commercial advantages under EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime regulations.
Oslo | March 26, 2026 – United European Car Carriers (UECC) has announced a landmark reduction in fleet-wide CO2 emissions for 2025, a feat that coincides with the appointment of Steinar Rinvik Spinnangr as the company’s new Sustainability Manager. The Norwegian shortsea RoRo specialist is now closing in rapidly on its 2030 decarbonization targets, fueled by a strategic pivot toward high-impact bio-liquefied natural gas (bioLNG).
A Quantum Leap in Emissions Performance
The 2025 data reveals an aggressive acceleration in UECC’s green trajectory. The company recorded an emissions reduction of 154,468 tons of CO2 last year, marking a staggering 44% improvement over the 107,173 tons saved in 2024.
To put these figures into perspective, cutting 154,468 tons of CO2 emissions is the environmental equivalent of:
- Removing approximately 38,000 internal combustion engine (ICE) cars from the road.
- Eliminating the carbon footprint of 514 round-trip flights between London and New York.
- The carbon sequestration of 2.5 million tree seedlings grown over a decade.
This performance brings UECC within striking distance of its 2030 target: a reduction of 186,263 tons, representing a 45% cut from its 2014 baseline.
The “Sail for Change” Catalyst: BioLNG Takes Center Stage
While the overall share of alternative fuels in UECC’s mix held steady at roughly 42% in 2025, the composition of those fuels shifted toward significantly higher-impact molecules. Under the company’s Sail for Change initiative, UECC dramatically expanded the use of Liquefied Biomethane (LBM), also known as bioLNG.
In a pivotal shift, bioLNG accounted for 71% of the fleet’s total LNG consumption in 2025, up from just 31% the previous year.
“This programme has been a major factor behind UECC’s improved environmental performance in 2025,” noted recently appointed Sustainability Manager Steinar Rinvik Spinnangr. “BioLNG accounted for a much higher share… This trend is set to continue as we further expand the volume of bioLNG used to fuel the fleet going forward.”
Strategic Investments Yielding Dividends
UECC’s fleet strategy has long been predicated on fuel flexibility. The company currently operates seven dual-fuel and multi-fuel LNG Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) within its 16-vessel fleet. Three of these units are permanently deployed on the North-South trading network, bunkering LBM to support the supply chain requirements of major OEMs, including Toyota, Ford, and JLR.
UECC Chief Executive Glenn Edvardsen asserted that the latest data validates the company’s early-mover advantage, following its initial biofuel pilots in 2020.
“The strong statistics show that our investments in newbuilds designed to run on LNG and bioLNG, as well as biofuel implementation on other vessels, are paying off,” Edvardsen stated.
He further emphasized the commercial logic behind the green transition:
“These figures translate into significant cost savings for our customers through reduced exposure to the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and FuelEU Maritime, strengthening commercial advantage while underpinning our shared sustainability ambitions. At the same time, we are developing our bunkering network for available alternative fuels to expand their usage going forward, coinciding with a series of newbuild deliveries in the coming years towards UECC’s goal of achieving net zero by 2040.”
Future Fleet: The Next Generation of Multi-Fuel Hybrids
UECC is not resting on its 2025 laurels. The company has four multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid newbuild PCTCs on order at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Nanjing. Two of these units were recently contracted, with deliveries slated to begin as early as 2028.
For Spinnangr, who joins UECC following six years at the renowned research firm Rystad Energy, the goal is to bridge the gap between energy theory and maritime reality.
“I am excited to be embarking on a new journey with a true pioneer of sustainability in shipping with an impressive track record in green technology innovation and piloting of alternative fuels – and I consider building on this strong legacy as my top priority,” Spinnangr said. “Transitioning to shipping represents a new and positive challenge with the opportunity to explore broader application of new alternative fuels at UECC to further strengthen the sustainability of our fleet.”
Navigating Regulatory Fragmentation
Beyond the engine room, Spinnangr is focusing on digital voyage planning, route optimization, and advanced hull cleaning to minimize drag. However, he remains wary of the global regulatory landscape. Following the postponement of the IMO’s Net Zero Framework, Spinnangr expressed concern regarding the “fragmented” nature of regional regulations.
“There needs to be alignment of regional regimes as well as collaboration across the industry to promote common interests and advance progress towards net zero,” Spinnangr said.
Spinnangr concluded by highlighting the importance of the “connected corporate culture” at UECC, a synergy between fuel developers, engine makers, and internal stakeholders, as the engine driving the company toward its 2040 Net Zero target.
About UECC
United European Car Carriers (UECC) is a leading provider of sustainable shortsea transportation services for cars and other rolling cargo in Europe. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, the company operates a fleet of eco-friendly vessels, including dual-fuel LNG and hybrid battery-powered PCTCs. UECC is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 while advancing sustainable practices in the shipping industry. UECC’s headquarters are based in Oslo, Norway, with subsidiary companies and branch offices around Europe.
UECC: Key Figures & Fleet Performance
- Environmental Impact: Achieved a massive 154,874-tonne CO2 reduction in 2025, driven by the aggressive adoption of bioLNG.
- Operational Excellence: Maintains a specialized fleet of 16 vessels calling at 24 European ports with a 99.84% damage-free cargo rate.
- Diverse Connectivity: Operates with a global team of 20 nationalities providing high-capacity RoRo, High & Heavy, and Breakbulk solutions.
- Future Growth: Scaling its sustainable footprint with four multi-fuel battery hybrid PCTCs currently on order to reach Net Zero by 2040.
Source: United European Car Carriers