X-Press Feeders, claiming to be the world’s largest independent common carrier, has started Europe’s first feeder network services powered by green methanol. This non-fossil fuel reduces greenhouse gases by up to 65 per cent.
The industry milestone coincided with the naming and christening ceremony in Rotterdam of X-Press Feeders‘ first dual-fuel methanol-powered vessel. Suzanne Hartnoll, member of the family who founded the company, acted as godmother and named the new ship Eco Maestro while it was moored at the ECT Delta barge and feeder terminal at the Maasvlakte in the Port of Rotterdam on Tuesday, 9 July.
Methanol-powered feeder network
The Eco Maestro is the first of fourteen dual fuel vessels X-Press Feeders has on order. The company plans to deploy these vessels mostly on routes in Europe, creating Europe’s first feeder network powered by green methanol.
The initiative coincides with the EU’s implementation this year of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for maritime shipping, creating an impetus for shippers to use more sustainable shipping channels. The FuelEU Maritime Regulations starting in January 2025 will also mandate the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity on energy used on board ships.
X-Press Feeders’ first methanol-powered feeder network starts with two services, the Green Finland X-Press (FX): Rotterdam via Antwerp, Helsinki, Tallinn, HaminaKotka back to Rotterdam. And the second Green Baltic X-Press (GBX) from Rotterdam, via Antwerp to Klaipeda, Riga, and back to Rotterdam.
Also read: X-Press Feeders’ first methanol ship to sail from Rotterdam
Rotterdam ready for green methanol
Green bio-methanol is a more sustainable fuel, because it is a renewable energy source produced from the decomposition of organic matter, such as waste and residues. X-Press Feeders is using green methanol that is independently certified in Europe under ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification).
The company chose the Port of Rotterdam as the base for Europe’s first feeder network powered by green methanol because Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and is fully equipped to handle green methanol refuelling. The green methanol is delivered by OCI Global that produces it in one of its factories in the USA.
Key partners
According to X-Press Feeders, the introduction of the methanol-powered feeder network is also the result of the extensive collaboration between the company and several other key partners, such as the ports of Antwerp-Bruges, HaminaKotka, Klaipeda, Riga and Tallinn. These partnerships are crucial for X-Press Feeders in supporting the methanol-powered feeder network an ensuring seamless, sustainable logistics across the region.
‘Today marks a significant milestone in sustainable shipping in Europe because companies here now have a regular scheduled network that can ship goods in a way that has less impact on the environment, helping companies to better achieve their sustainability goals,’ says X-Press Feeders’ chief operating officer, Francis Goh.
‘X-Press Feeders chose Northern Europe for the first routes in the network because we found that customers in this part of Europe where most receptive to our plans for sustainable shipping,’ he adds. ‘We plan to steadily expand the green network across Europe as we take delivery of our dual-fuel vessels.’
Eco Maestro is the first to join the network while the second dual-fuel vessel will join by Q3 2024. Goh: ‘X-Press Feeders is committed to playing a vital role in decarbonising the maritime industry and being at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.’
Also read: X-Press Feeders to bunker green methanol in Rotterdam
X-Press Feeders
X-Press Feeders was founded in 1972 in Singapore by the father of the present executive chairman Tim Hartnoll and developed into the world’s largest independent common carrier, which means that it serves any company that wants its containers to be transported to a port that is served by the X-Press Feeders network. Major container carrier Evergreen is one on the most important clients. Other major container carriers often have their own feeder (daughter) companies.
Starting in South-East Asia, X-Press Feeders is now operating throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Mediterranean and Europe. ‘As “the global common carrier”, our mission is to provide the best feeder solutions and be the feeder carrier of choice,’ states X-Press Feeders in a press release.
As an independent common carrier it does not own, lease or operate any containers. X-Press Feeders provides transportation services only to container operators and not to proprietary cargo interests or general shipping public, allowing the company to act as an impartial contractor. X-Press Feeders operates a flee of more than 100 vessels, calling at more than eighteen ports worldwide. X-Press Feeders aims to achieve net zero emission by 2050 and be the “greener feeder carrier of choice”.
Picture (top): The Eco Maestro was christened while moored at the ECT-Delta Terminal in Rotterdam. The ship has a capacity of up to 1260 TEU, is 148 metres long and has a MAN 5S50ME dual-fuel engine, capable of running on conventional fuel or green methanol. The Eco Maestro and its sister vessels can connect to shore power (cold ironing) at ports and terminals, further reducing emissions (all pictures by X-Press Feeders).
Also read: X-Press Pearl removed from Sri Lankan waters
