On 6 February, Ports of Stockholm, Port of Turku and Viking Line announced a formal partnership to develop a green shipping corridor between the Finnish ports of Turku and Stockholm.
The initiative seeks to eliminate fossil fuel usage from shipping along this route by 2035. The parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlining their commitment to establish a scalable framework for transitioning to fossil-free fuels and reducing the climate impact of shipping.
“Climate change is happening here and now. It is more important than ever to take tangible steps towards a green transition. We know that more transport by rail or sea is needed rather than by road and air. Green shipping plays a major role in climate transition measures in the transport sector,” stated Clara Lindblom, City Council responsible for Ports of Stockholm.
“Viking Line is a shipping company that has its roots in the vulnerable archipelago. That means that for us the work of protecting and preserving the Baltic Sea is part of our DNA. We strive to be an ambitious role model in the industry and are proud of taking this step together with the Ports of Stockholm and Port Turku to come closer to achieving fossil fuel-free cruises and transport in this important shipping fairway between Sweden, the Åland Islands and Finland,” commented Viking Line CEO, Jan Hanses.
The collaboration and project meet the criteria outlined in the Clydebank Declaration, in which both Sweden and Finland are signatories, for establishing a green shipping corridor. This effort surpasses the timeline outlined in the European Union’s Fit for 55 strategy, demonstrating proactive measures taken by the involved parties.
“Environmental work has always been a focus of our business operations. The Port of Turku nestles within a very vulnerable archipelago. This gives us the responsibility of respecting our surroundings at all times in our daily activities. In 2023 we signed Turku’s Climate City Contract, which has the goal of the city being carbon neutral by 2029. This is a goal we are working systematically to achieve and that is why this memorandum to develop a green transport corridor between Turku and Stockholm is a natural step for us,” explained Erik Söderholm, CEO of Port of Turku.
The partnership is expected to serve as a pioneering platform for creating scalable strategies to eliminate fossil fuels and promote environmentally friendly shipping between Stockholm and Turku. Additionally, the project will capitalise on the advancements and solutions developed within the Decatrip project, which is a joint effort involving Rauma Marine Constructions, Viking Line, Åbo Akademi University, and Kempower.
Throughout the project, the partners will progressively reduce their carbon dioxide emissions and strive to establish a complete fossil fuel-free corridor. Furthermore, the collaboration has the potential to expand its involvement to include other prominent stakeholders within the shipping industry, as well as additional ports, cargo owners, and logistics companies.
