X-Press Feeders inks MoU with six European ports

Singapore-based X-Press Feeders, the world’s largest common carrier feeder company, on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding with six European ports: Port of Antwerp-Bruges (Belgium), Port of Tallinn (Estonia), Port of Helsinki (Finland), Port of HaminaKotka (Finland), Freeport of Riga (Latvia) and Klaipeda Port (Lithuania).

This agreement signifies a joint commitment to accelerate the establishment of green shipping corridors and the broader decarbonization of the marine sector in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea.

Through this MoU, X-Press Feeders and the participating ports will pool resources and expertise to develop and implement sustainable practices for maritime operations.

In December 2023, X-Press Feeders announced the deployment of a series of dual-fuel vessels, powered by green methanol, on various Scandinavia-Baltic services in 2024.

While X-Press Feeders is committed to using green methanol, the availability and distribution of methanol at ports on a global scale still poses a challenge.

Under the MoU, parties will collaborate to enhance infrastructure for the provision and bunkering of alternative fuels, such as green methanol. They will also promote the development of fuel supply chains with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, they will offer additional training programs for port workers and seafarers on handling alternative fuels. Furthermore, they will utilize digital platforms to improve port call optimization. Parties will hold regular meetings to review and discuss progress on initiatives aimed at expanding green shipping corridors. The MoU emphasizes the joint commitment to broader decarbonization endeavours within the maritime industry.

The collaboration between the parties will begin with the establishment of these two shipping routes:

• Green Baltic X-PRESS (GBX): Rotterdam > Antwerp Bruges > Klaipeda > Riga > Rotterdam
• Green Finland X-PRESS (GFX): Rotterdam > Antwerp Bruges > Helsinki > Tallinn > HaminaKotka > Rotterdam

These services are scheduled to commence in Q3 2024, marking a significant step towards more environmentally sustainable shipping services in Europe.

This development is significant as these will be the very first scheduled feeder routes in Europe powered by green methanol, an alternative fuel that produces at least 60% less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional marine fuel.

X-Press Feeders’ green methanol is sourced from fuel supplier OCI Global. The green methanol is made from green hydrogen and the decomposition of organic matter, such as waste and residues.

OCI’s green methanol is independently certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Association headquartered in Germany. The ISCC system promotes and verifies the sustainable production of biomass, circular and bio-based materials and renewables.