Klaipėda State Seaport Authority on Wednesday (22 January) said the first ever green hydrogen and electricity-powered ship in Lithuania has been moved from shipyard into water. 

Leaving no trace on the environment, it will clean other vessels entering the port, accepting waste from them.

According to the current rules, vessels are obliged to hand over the waste they produce when they arrive and before they leave Klaipėda Port. The Seaport Authority was entrusted with the collection of the waste, and the company decided to use modern and environmentally friendly equipment to further improve the quality of the ship waste collection service.

The tanker’s main function is to collect storm water, sewage, sludge and garbage, as well as to ensure efficient waste management. The ship will be equipped with special tanks and a modern rainwater treatment plant that will allow the treated water to be transferred to the city’s sewage treatment plants. The tanker will be ready to work around the clock and collect up to 400 cubic metres of liquid waste.

The tanker is 42 metres long and 10 metres wide. The ship’s power system will consist of two electric motors powered by 2,000 kWh batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell system. Depending on the intensity of the work, the tanker will be able to operate in the port of Klaipėda for up to 36 hours without additional power charging.

This ship building project with a total value of EUR 12 million (USD 12.5 million) has been commissioned by the Port Authority and is being built by West Baltic Shipyard together with Baltic Workboats under a joint operating agreement.

“We have not only launched a tanker, but also a new approach to port operations – cleaner, smarter and more environmentally friendly. This first ever hydrogen and electricity-powered ship is not only an innovative technological solution, but also an important step in strengthening Lithuania’s image as a modern maritime nation,” said Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.

“At the moment, the tanker is getting used to the seaport water, so to speak, and at the end of the year we expect it to start its important mission of taking care of the clean seaport environment. Such a decision will not leave a footprint on nature, but it will certainly leave a strong mark on our path to a greener future.”

In June last year, a symbolic keel-laying ceremony at the West Baltic Shipyard of the West Baltic Shipyard Group marked the start of the ship’s construction. To date, the hull has been fabricated and painted, with piping, valves, coolers, shaft lines, rudder feathers, heat and fire insulation installed.

Once the tanker is moved into the water, the engine room equipment will be installed, the interior of the wheelhouse will be redecorated, the electrical wiring and the main electrical engines will be installed, the hydrogen system will be installed and other work necessary for the operation of the ship will be carried out.

Photo credit: Klaipėda State Seaport Authority
Published: 23 January, 2025

Dublin Bay Cruises on Wednesday (22 January) announced the launch of its eco-friendly initiative by moving from fossil fuels to Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in their existing passenger ship St. Bridget. 

The company said it is now the first domestic passenger ship operator in Ireland to adopt this sustainable practice aimed at reducing environmental impact while enhancing the marine experience for visitors.

In adapting the Circular Economy Policy they have remanufactured the engines of St Bridget, making her more fuel-efficient, and dramatically reducing emissions. By doing this, instead of building from scratch, they not only reduced waste but also took a major step toward a greener future.

This change will reduce emissions by up to 90%, which will exceed the climate targets set by the EU and Ireland. This thoughtful investment underscores Dublin Bay Cruises’ commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism.

“Recently Dublin Bay Cruises faced a crucial decision—whether to invest in a larger vessel for increased passenger numbers or to reconsider our approach and focus on sustainability,” said founder and Managing Director Eugene Garrihy.

“After careful thought, we chose the latter. Our choice reflects not just a business decision, but a responsibility to the environment and the future of our coastal communities. We need to slow things down.”

Garrihy added: “We are deeply aware of the privilege and responsibility we have to operate in UNESCOs Dublin Bay Biosphere, one of the most beautiful marine environments in the world. This initiative is a reflection of our commitment to preserving Dublin Bay for future generations while still providing our customers with an unforgettable and sustainable marine experience,”

The transition includes substantial investments in reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency onboard with solar panels, and incorporating green technologies into its daily operations. Dublin Bay Cruises has also partnered with Failte Ireland’s “Climate Action Programme” and with local marine conservation groups to support biodiversity and the protection of the rich marine life found in Dublin Bay.

Being the first domestic passenger ship in Ireland to take this important step is not just a milestone for Dublin Bay Cruises, but also hopefully an encouragement for others working in tourism industries to take the leap and follow suit in safeguarding Ireland’s natural heritage.

The company added St. Bridget will now continue to serve as a passenger ship for at least another decade, with far fewer emissions than before. 

Photo credit: Dublin Bay Cruises
Published: 23 January, 2025

Energy company Mabanaft on Wednesday (22 January) said it plans to convert four of its tanks at the Blumensand tank terminal in the Port of Hamburg over the next two years. 

The company’s aim is to enable the storage of methanol at Blumensand and facilitate the import of low-carbon methanol to northern Germany. 

By investing in methanol storage capabilities, Mabanaft wants to support its customers’ transition towards greener alternatives. Mabanaft expects demand to grow in the future, both in shipping and other transport sectors, as well as in the chemical industry.

While the tanks are planned to be retrofitted from mid-2025, the methanol storage is scheduled to start in 2027. Mabanaft intends to import the methanol itself and then store and distribute it in Germany and possibly other locations. 

By deciding to apply for the necessary approvals in January this year, the company is willing to take on this multi-million-euro investment. The project requires the successful completion of an approval process with the Hamburg Authority of Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture (Behörde für Umwelt, Klima, Energie und Agrarwirtschaft, BUKEA).

The four tanks that would be converted have a total capacity of approximately 20,000 cubic metres. Subject to the necessary approvals their conversion is planned to be carried out in two stages: the first two tanks by mid of 2026 and the further tanks in 2027. 

Mabanaft is working with both existing and new customers to develop solutions for decarbonising their fuel needs.

"CO2-reduced methanol can be produced in several ways: through e-methanol synthesis using renewable electricity and captured CO2, through biomethanol production from biomass, or through the production of so-called blue methanol from natural gas with carbon capture and storage," said Joost Vespermann, Business Developer in Mabanaft's Sustainable Fuels division. 

“All these types of low-carbon methanol can be used in the future, depending on regional legislation and customer preferences.”

Shipping as the first market for methanol 

“In the shipping industry, there is no single solution for sustainable fuels,” said Oleksandr Siromakha, Head of Sustainable Fuels at Mabanaft. 

“That’s why we are committed to offering our customers a diverse range of options tailored to their needs—both now and in the future. Alongside conventional fuels, we currently offer bio-blends and want to provide more tailored solutions such as hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol.”

“Our goal is to simplify the transition for our customers by making methanol and other alternative fuels more accessible. The challenges of decarbonisation are great. We are here to support our customers every step of the way.”

In Europe in particular, Mabanaft is helping cruise lines and other players in the shipping industry to use methanol. In January 2024, Mabanaft signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with cruise operator TUI Cruises to supply green methanol bunker fuel in the future.

In addition to the marine sector, the company intends to offer methanol to other areas of the transportation industry, such as a gasoline additive, as well as to the chemical industry. 

Related: Mabanaft to supply TUI Cruises with green methanol bunker fuel

Photo credit: Mabanaft
Published: 23 January, 2025