Molslinjen to switch two ferries to biodiesel
Written by Nick BlenkeyDanish ferry operator Molslinjen reports that the two vessels that serve its Fanø line, the Fenja and Menja, will be the first ferries in Denmark to sail permanently on completely fossil-free HVO biodiesel. The goal is to bring the ferries serving the Esbjerg-Fanø route—the two current ferries, along with the under-construction electric ferry, Grotte—as close to completely fossil-free operation as technically possible.
The move is in line with a commitment to continuously improving its sustainability that has been underway at Molslinjen since 2015.
The Fenja and Menja are sister car/passenger vessels. Each is 49.9 meters long and carries 35 cars. Passenger capacity is 396 in the summer and 296 in winter.
Initially, the Fenja and Menja will sail fueled partly with biodiesel, with the biodiesel percentage being rapidly increased towards autumn. The new electric ferry is set to enter service in October, and the ambition is to eliminate fossil fuels from the route completely, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil diesel.
The biodiesel will be produced by Finnish manufacturer, Neste and will be supplied to Molslinjen by Bunker One. Molslinjen has entered into a long term agreement with BunkerOne following a period of successful testing.
“We are very pleased to have entered into this agreement with Molslinjen, as it brings us a step closer to our ambition to switch to green energy supply,” says Bunker One CEO Peter Zachariassen. “The initiative is a significant step towards meeting our goal of being a proactive and competent supplier of biofuels.”