Danish shipping company carries out world’s first commercial bio-fuel voyage 

DS Norden test journey could be a game changer in terms of maritime industry sustainability

The Danish shipping company DS Norden is behind the first commercial test voyage of a ship using CO2-neutral bio-fuel. 

The move could be critical in tackling climate change in the future and the firm hopes to be able to offer customers bio-fuel options in the coming month or so. 

“Norden is proud to be at the forefront of testing and introducing CO2-neutral fuel that truly makes an impact on the highly important agenda of reducing the carbon footprint of shipping,” said Jan Rindbo, the CEO of Norden. 

“Norden has come a long way in increasing fuel efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions per tonne of cargo transported on owned tanker vessels by 25 percent between 2007 and 2017. With the newly introduced IMO targets on CO2 reductions, however, it is evident that increased fuel efficiency alone is not enough. We need alternative solutions, and with this test Norden has shown a viable method towards reaching these targets.” 

READ MORE: Danish shipping fearful of US-China trade dispute

A game changer
The test voyage involved the vessel Nord Highlander sailing from Rotterdam to Talllin in September. 

Rindbo said it is currently more expensive to use bio-fuel than a traditional fuel, but new restrictions from 2020 will mean shipping companies can no longer use the cheapest kinds of sulphur-based oil, making bio-fuel a more competitive fuel source. 

It was the Dutch firm Good Fuels that provided the bio-fuel for the test voyage – using fuel that is based on food oil. One of the key aspects of the fuel is that it doesn’t require the ships to have their tanks modified or rebuilt for it to be used. 

TOP STORIES

  • Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    In the internal Danish waters, Russia will be able to attack underwater infrastructure from all types of vessels. The target could be cables with data, electricity and gas, assesses the Danish Defense Intelligence Service

  • Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    A few weeks after Alex Vanopslagh’s comments about “right values,” the government announced that an expert committee would be established to examine the feasibility of screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic attitudes.

  • The Future Copenhagen

    The Future Copenhagen

    The municipality plan encompasses building 40,000 houses by 2036 in order to help drive real estate prices down. But this is not the only huge project that will change the shape of the city: Lynetteholmen, M5 metro line, the Eastern Ring Road, and Jernbanebyen will transform Copenhagen into something different from what we know today

  • It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    Many people in Denmark are facing hard times marked by sadness, anxiety, and apathy. It’s called winter depression, and it’s a widespread phenomenon during the cold months in Nordic countries.

  • Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime in Denmark is increasing for the second consecutive year, but it is more focused on property, while people appear to be safer than before. Over the past year, there were fewer incidents of violence

  • Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Despite Novo’s announcement that its growth abroad will be larger than in Denmark, the company announced this morning an 8.5 billion DKK investment for a new facility in Odense. This is the first time the company has established a new production site in Denmark this century.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs