X-Press Feeders Partners with European Ports on the Establishment of Green Shipping Corridors

European feeder shipping company X-Press Feeders, the world’s largest independent common carrier, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with six European ports on the establishment of green shipping corridors.

The ports are Port of Antwerp Bruges (Belgium), Port of Tallinn (Estonia), Port of Helsinki (Finland), Port of HaminaKotka (Finland), Freeport of Riga (Latvia) and Klaipeda Port (Lithuania).

The landmark agreement symbolizes a joint commitment to speed up the establishment of green shipping corridors and the wider decarbonization of the marine sector in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea. Under the MOU, X-Press Feeders and the participating ports will use their resources and expertise to develop and implement environmentally-friendly practices in maritime operations.

X-Press Feeders is embarking on a large fleet renewal program to replace older, less-efficient vessels with newer, more fuel-efficient ones. The company has 14 dual-fuel, 1,250 TEU container vessels on order with deliveries starting this year until mid-2026. The vessels will have the capability to operate on both conventional fuel and methanol.

Key actions of the MOU include the development of infrastructure for providing and bunkering alternative fuels such as green methanol, the promotion of zero-emission supply chains, the provision of training programs for port workers and seafarers on handling alternative fuels, and the use of digital platforms for optimizing port calls.

X-Press Feeders and the partner ports will initially establish two shipping routes, namely Green Baltic X-PRESS (GBX) and Green Finland X-PRESS (GFX). Both are scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2024. These will be the first scheduled feeder routes in Europe powered by green methanol, an alternative fuel that emits 60% less greenhouse gas than conventional marine fuel.

X-Press Feeders sources its green methanol from fuel supplier OCI Global. The fuel is produced from green hydrogen and the decomposition of organic matter, such as waste and residues, and is certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Association.

“By working together – X-Press Feeders and the six partner ports – aim to efficiently implement green shipping corridors and lead the maritime industry in sustainability,” said X-Press Feeders’ Chief Operating Officer, Francis Goh. “We chose the Nordic and Baltic states as the first markets to deploy our green methanol powered vessels because we found the ports and our customers in these markets to be very receptive.”

Representatives from the participating ports expressed their commitment to sustainable maritime practices and the importance of their collaboration with X-Press Feeders, noting the significant strides towards sustainability and the tangible steps taken towards reducing the environmental impact of shipping.

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up