Half of Danish ship orders can sail on green fuel

A year-long decline in Danish shipping companies’ orders for new vessels has turned into an increase this year, up to 51 from 44 last year. This is the first increase since 2015.

25 vessels are compatible with new green fuels.

“It shows that the shipping companies are aware of their responsibilities. And it clearly shows that the Danish shipping companies do more than just talk about the green transition. They are leading the way and are now launching vessels that are prerequisite for the green transition of shipping towards 2050,”, says Maria Skipper Schwenn, Executive Director of Climate, Environment and Security at Danish Shipping.

The offshore shipping company, ESVAGT in Esbjerg is one of the shipping companies waiting for the delivery of a new green vessel. It has ordered an offshore service vessel (SOV) which will service offshore wind farms with wind turbine technicians and spare parts.

The 93-metre vessel was announced in April in partnership with Ørsted. The SOV will be powered by batteries and dual fuel engines, capable of sailing on renewable e-methanol, produced from wind energy and biogenic carbon, which will lead to a yearly emission reduction of approx. 4,500 tonnes of CO2. Once commissioned by the end of 2024, the SOV will start servicing the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Hornsea 2, off the UK’s east coast.

“It’s a bit like completing the full green cycle when we can both contribute to the development of green energy in Denmark and buy new green fuels. It was natural for us to invest in a green vessel as so much of our business is about supporting the green transition,” says CEO of ESVAGT, Peter Lytzen.

Danish Shipping has a strategic objective that in 2030 at least 5% of Danish operated vessels must sail on green fuels.