Climate news by BPO – Green Corridors in the Baltic Sea

Green shipping corridors are the route to greener, cleaner shipping – and both cruise and other maritime segments stand to benefit. Green shipping corridors link ports that support zero-emission fuels and they are showing great potential as a way to accelerate maritime decarbonisation.

Here are five important facts for those who are ready to collaborate, build ecosystems and gain some important first-mover advantages:
• zero-emission fuel will be easily available along the route
• collaboration will play a central role in green shipping corridors
• different maritime green corridors will support different fuels
• fuels could be subsidised along green shipping corridors
• regional initiatives are already underway
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1. Finland-Sweden

The Vaasa-Umeå connection is being developed as a Green Shipping Corridor

The City of Vaasa, Umeå municipality, Umeå Hamn AB, Umeå Kommunföretag AB, Wasaline and Kvarken Ports have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a Green Shipping Corridor between Umeå and Vaasa. The aim of the cooperation is to achieve climate neutrality of the connection by 2030.

Vaasa and Umeå share a long and historically important link across the Baltic Sea. Both cities have also adopted significant environmental goals and aim to become climate-neutral in the future. Enhanced cooperation between the cities aims to promote green shipping corridors and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from shipping through innovative and environment-friendly solutions:

• to act as an inspiration and forerunner in green shipping
• to develop a living laboratory for reducing CO2 emissions
• to stimulate new logistical solutions and environment-friendly innovations
• to develop a fully fossil fuel-free multimodal transport chain
• to strive for climate neutrality by 2030

Helsinki and Tallinn ports, cities and ferry companies to accelerate zero emissions
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2. Finland-Estonia

Helsinki and Tallinn ports, cities and ferry companies to accelerate zero emissions

Representatives on both sides of the Gulf of Finland signed a Green Corridor MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to ensure and accelerate the creation of a climate neutral customer journey and maritime green corridor between Helsinki – Tallinn and Vuosaari – Muuga connections.

The signing partners of this MoU are the cities and the ports of Helsinki and Tallinn, Rederi AB Eckerö, Tallink Grupp and Viking Line, Ministry of Climate, Estonia, and it is strongly supported by Ministry of Transport and Communications, Finland.
The goal of this Green Corridor is to accelerate the transition to a climate neutral and sustainable customer journey for both passengers and cargo on the sea routes of Helsinki-Tallinn and Muuga-Vuosaari. This means that there will be joint roadmaps for shipping companies, cities and ports with founding - and other partners - to assist them with achieving zero-emission goals. Each roadmap will consist of specific milestones, which are achieved taking into account priorities and possible funding.

The main points of activities in the Green Corridor:

• projects lie in efforts towards climate neutrality and at the same time in the increasing of passenger and cargo flow between the two countries
• it is also vital to strengthen the competitiveness and vitality of the corridor as well as to have some joint scientific studies carried out to enhance project activities and increase knowledge and knowledge-sharing
• joining relevant international initiatives for the development of Green Corridors is also being prepared as part of the activities
Port of Helsinki and Port of Tallinn are Members of BPO.
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3. European Green Corridors Network

Five European ports partner with Mærsk Centre on green corridor

Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping launches partnership with progressive ports to establish the European Green Corridors Network.

The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping establishes the European Green Corridors Network, kickstarting the initiative in close collaboration with the Port Authorities of Hamburg, Gdynia, Roenne, Rotterdam, and Tallinn. The project will demonstrate the early commercialization of alternative fuel supply chains, showcase and support first-mover solutions, and create a blueprint for rolling out green corridors in other areas and regions. This is a vital step towards decarbonizing the shipping industry and meeting the EU’s 2030 climate ambitions, says Bo Cerup-Simonsen, CEO of the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.

Port of Gdynia, Port of Roenne and Port of Tallinn are Members of BPO. Port of Hamburg is a Friendship Member of the Organization.
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