Growing support for Sweden-Belgium shipping corridor

The project aims to have two ammonia-fuelled ro-ro vessels operating on the routes between Sweden and Belgium by 2023 as the world’s first green ammonia shipping corridor for freight vessels.

“DFDS, an important operator with a daily roll-on/roll-off freight service to Gothenburg, will contribute to our ambition towards climate-neutral transport in, to and through the port,” said Luc Arnouts, VP International networks, Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

”As one of the largest bunker hubs worldwide, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is committed to offering climate-neutral marine fuels and embraces DFDS’s innovative approach of utilising ammonia-powered ro-ro vessels on the corridor.”

Clever thinking

The original MoU for the project was signed back in 2022.

Port of Gothenburg, North Sea Port, DFDS and Port of Antwerp-Bruges want to establish the 2,500km corridor between the two countries to promote near zero emission transport.

The corridor potentially connects 11 European countries through sea, land and rail routes from Norway in Northern Europe to Spain in the South.

The aim is to have at least two DFDS ammonia-fuelled vessels in operation on the corridor from 2030, a part of DFDS’s ambition to have six low and near-zero-emission vessels in operation by 2030.

The ammonia vessels will be complemented by electric trucks and rail transport on land, as well as onshore power supply for the vessels. Therefore, efforts are being intensified by the ports to facilitate electric terminal operations and enable safe ammonia bunkering.

Furthermore, the partners are planning to start producing significant amounts of renewable electricity.

DFDS has applied for funding for a total of four ammonia-fuelled vessels and if the funding is granted, the project including electrification in the ports is expected to reduce 328,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions per year corresponding to around 11% of DFDS’s scope 1 GHG emissions, when compared to 2023.