Umeå harbour. Photo: Jonas Gunnarsson
Future ship fuel from Umeå
In an Interreg project, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute together with partners will resarch the possibility of producing and selling fossil-free marine fuel in northern Sweden.
In today's globalized trade, goods are transported between Europe and other continents almost exclusively by ship. Transport to and from Sweden from Europe is also mainly by sea, and the number of ships and the volume of goods is increasing over time. The challenge is that ships are currently powered by almost 100 percent fossil fuels. At the same time, proposals for policy instruments are being discussed both within the EU's Fit for 55 and the IMO (International Maritime Organization), which will greatly increase the demand for new, green fuels in the coming years. The Blue Supply Chains project examines the need and demand for future ship fuels and charging possibilities in Swedish ports, as well as the conditions for large-scale production of hydrogen as a ship fuel with Umeå as a base.
The focus on Umeå as a producer is due to its advantageous location. Production of green hydrogen requires large amounts of renewable energy and clean water, which makes northern Sweden an ideal region. Jörgen Carlsson, Business Developer Umeå Energi highlights that:
- The transition to a more sustainable society requires a phasing out of fossil energy sources to more sustainable alternatives, where hydrogen is a prerequisite for phasing out the dependence on coal and oil.
From fossil to renewable in northern Sweden
For Sweden, and especially the northern regions, there are large opportunities to become a leader in climate-neutral maritime transport and as a producer of green fuels. In Umeå, planning is already underway for the production of the hydrogen-based fuel electromethanol, starting in 2026. Hydrogen can also be used for more than just ships: potentially also for road transport, work machines or for industrial use.
The new green industries being built in northern Sweden, such as Northvolt in Skellefteå and H2 Green Steel in Luleå, require increased round-trip sea transport. Through green fuels, Sweden can contribute to creating global sustainable solutions in every part of the trade chain.
Facts about the Blue Supply Chains project
Blue Supply Chains is a project aimed at achieving fossil-free shipping. The project is also partly financed by the Swedish Transport Administration and the Swedish Institute for Water and Air Pollution Control Research (SIVL). In the project, IVL will develop a Swedish strategy for future bunkering and charging in Swedish ports, and together with Umeå Energi, Umeå Port, Umeå Municipality, INAB, Kvarken Ports and CLOSER Lindholmen investigate the possibility of introducing hydrogen as a green fuel in the Umeå region. In addition to Sweden, all countries around the Baltic Sea are participating, except Russia. The project is coordinated internationally by Hafen Hamburg Marketing.