X-Press Feeders and European ports forge green corridor partnership
Singapore-based shipping firm X-Press Feeders has signed an agreement with six northern European ports to introduce feeder services using container vessels powered by green methanol.
PHOTO: (from left to right) Port of Tallinn's Margus Vihman, Port of Riga's Edgars Suna, Port of Antwerp-Bruges' Luc Arnouts, X-Press Feeders' Sergio Spinosa, Port of Helsinki's Vesa Marttinen, Klaipeda Port's Captain Vladas Motiejunas. X-Press Feeders
The corridors will connect six northern European ports and are set to launch in the third quarter of this year.
The ports involved in the agreement include Port of Antwerp-Bruges (Belgium), Port of Tallinn (Estonia), Port of Helsinki (Finland), Port of HaminaKotka (Finland), the Freeport of Riga (Latvia) and Klaipeda Port (Lithuania).
The agreement aims to develop infrastructure for alternative fuels like green methanol and establish green methanol supply chains. Additionally, training programmes will be provided for port workers and seafarers to enhance handling capabilities of alternative fuels.
"This MoU represents a significant step towards sustainability in the maritime industry. Collaborating with these ports allows us to drive the adoption of green technologies and contribute to decarbonizing our industry,” chief operating Officer of X-Press Feeders Francis Goh commented.
X-Press Feeders has previously announced a partnership with Evergreen Marine to launch a methanol-powered feeder network. This initiative includes the construction of dual-fuel methanol boxships in China, with deliveries expected between now and mid-2026.
The shipping company now has 14 dual-fuel vessels in order, which are fitted with engines capable of operating on conventional fuel and methanol.
The container shipping company has also signed an offtake agreement with Netherlands-headquartered methanol producer OCI Global, and from next year it will start purchasing bio-methanol for its fleet of methanol-powered vessels.
By Debarati Bhattacharjee
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