2024-04-07 02:30:51
The cooperation of the parties will begin with the opening of two new X-Press Feeders shipping lines, one of which will include the port of Riga. These will be the first regular maritime transport routes in Europe to be powered by ships powered by green methanol (an alternative fuel that produces at least 60% less emissions than conventional marine fuel). The Green Baltic X-PRESS line includes the port of Riga and its route will be: Rotterdam – Antwerp Bruges – Klaipėda – Riga – Rotterdam. The second line, called Green Finland X-PRESS, will include Rotterdam – Antwerp Bruges – Helsinki – Tallinn – Haminu Kotka – Rotterdam. It is planned that the lines will start operating in the third quarter of 2024.
“We are happy and honored that in the second half of 2024 we will be able to receive container ships powered by green methanol in the port of Riga. By joining X-Press Feeders and other European ports in promoting green shipping and creating more environmentally friendly shipping corridors, we also increase the sustainability and competitiveness of the port of Riga. The availability of green energy not only makes the port more efficient and safer, but also meets customers’ demands for more environmentally friendly transport solutions, increasing the port’s attractiveness for new cargo transportation and investment projects,” emphasized Edgars Sūna, deputy manager of the Freeport of Riga, when signing the memorandum of understanding.
At the same time, the memorandum of understanding envisages that X-Press Feeders and participating ports will combine resources and knowledge to carry out a series of measures for the further development of green shipping corridors – build port infrastructure for providing alternative fuels, promote the development of alternative fuel supply chains, create further education programs for port employees and seafarers regarding with the use of alternative fuels and will use digital platforms to optimize the process of receiving ships in ports.
Francis Goh, CEO of X-Press Feeders, says about the objectives of the memorandum of understanding: “The cooperation between X-Press Feeders and the six partner ports aims to effectively implement green shipping corridors and promote the sustainability of the industry. We chose the Nordics and the Baltics as the first markets to introduce our green, methanol-powered ships, as both the ports and our customers here are the most responsive to sustainability initiatives. The Memorandum of Understanding is an important step towards sustainable shipping, because by working together with leading European ports, we can jointly promote the implementation of green technologies and accelerate the decarbonisation of the industry.”
The company X-Press Feeders was founded in Singapore in 1972. It is the largest independent container carrier in the world, operating in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe. X-Press Feeders operates a fleet of over 100 vessels visiting over 180 ports worldwide. The company’s goal is to reach zero emissions by 2050 and become the greenest container ship carrier.
2024-04-07 02:30:51