Combatting the climate change

Investments in environmental technology continue

Extensive measures are necessary to decrease greenhouse gas emissions in the combat against climate change. Finnlines
is active in doing its share and co-operation with researchers is one way to be involved.

In May 2022, emissions were measured on the ro-pax vessel Finnmaid at sea. Finnlines is a partner in a research project where different air emission reduction techniques, their efficiency, costs and benefits are compared in the actual environment. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and measurements are carried out by the South-Eastern University of Applied Sciences.

To reduce carbon dioxide emissions, fuel consumption must decline. Today, the economic incentives to save fuel are strong when the European Union prepares to expand the emissions trading scheme to cover the shipping sector and fuel prices have skyrocketed.

Safe, reliable and maintenance proof

In shipping it is challenging to find a feasible technique. Whichever option is chosen, it must be safe, reliable, maintenance proof, in compliance with national and international regulations and economically viable for the shipowner. Ships have a lifecycle of 30–40 years and the technology chosen for a new vessel tends to be more or less permanent as retrofits can be demanding and expensive.

Fossil fuels continue to dominate for the time being. The engines on the newest vessels in the Finnlines fleet could run on biofuel but it is not available in sufficient volumes. Metanol is another future option. In summary, the conclusion is that environmental investments will continue.