Scandlines Wins ESG Award for Sustainability

Since the commissioning of the double-ended ferries on the Fehmarn Belt, Scandlines has reduced CO₂ emissions by more than 50 percent. At an important award ceremony in London, the shipping company Scandlines received a prestigious international ESG award (Environment, Social, Governance) for its efforts to transition ferry operations to an emission-free operation.

(Hamburg/Copenhagen/London) The IJGlobal ESG Awards recognize organizations, companies, and individuals that have made significant contributions in the areas of environment, social, and governance in the international infrastructure and energy sector. Activities may include internal ESG policies, investment decisions, or participation in third-party ESG initiatives.

On October 19, 2022, IJGlobal awarded Scandlines the “Corporate Transition Award – Infrastructure” for the company’s innovation and leadership role. The award highlights Scandlines’ ability to exemplary implement initiatives in the areas of environment, social, and governance and acknowledges the courage of the shipping company to always be at the forefront of innovative solutions for environmentally friendly ferry operations.

In its reasoning for naming Scandlines as the award winner, the international jury highlighted various groundbreaking projects that Scandlines has undertaken to continuously reduce the environmental impact of ferry operations. “It is impressive that Scandlines has managed to significantly reduce the footprint of ferry operations. The shipping company always leads by example,” said a jury member.

Investment in Hybrid Ferries Since 2013

Since 2013, Scandlines has invested in hybrid ferries that combine traditional diesel propulsion with electric battery propulsion, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions on the Puttgarden-Rødby route by up to 15 percent. In 2022, Scandlines completed an investment project of 13 million euros for new thrusters (propulsion systems) for the Fehmarn Belt ferries. The new thrusters further reduce CO₂ emissions by an additional 15 percent, create a more uniform flow of water, and thus cause less noise and vibration.

With the installation of a rotor sail on the hybrid ferries “Copenhagen” in 2020 and “Berlin” in 2022 on the Rostock-Gedser route, the shipping company has expanded its list of environmentally friendly initiatives to include wind power technology. With the help of the rotor sail, Scandlines reduces the diesel generators, increases the use of wind power, and thus reduces the CO₂ emissions of the two hybrid ferries by an average of 4 percent—on good days even by up to 20 percent.

Investments of 380 Million Euros in Green Technology by 2024

By 2024, Scandlines will have invested 380 million euros in green technology; in the same year, the shipping company will deploy the first zero direct emission ferry with the world’s largest battery bank on the Puttgarden-Rødby route. Just six years later, in 2030, this route will be emission-free. With the goal of making the entire company emission-free by 2040, Scandlines is setting higher targets than those established in the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement aims for emission-free status by 2050.

“I am proud to lead Scandlines’ ESG initiatives. Since commissioning, we have halved the CO₂ emissions of the double-ended ferries on the Puttgarden-Rødby route—thanks to new technology but also thanks to training and knowledge sharing among our dedicated and curious employees who are always ready to find new measures to improve energy efficiency. The next step is emission-free ferry operations—the first ferry will already be in operation in 2024,” said Scandlines COO Michael Guldmann Petersen.

Leading in Environmentally Friendly Ferry Shipping

“Scandlines is a leader in environmentally friendly ferry shipping. Sustainability works best when it goes hand in hand with economic goals. And that is exactly what IJGlobal recognizes,” said Scandlines CEO Carsten Nørland.

Photo: © Scandlines