Swedish electro-fuels (eFuels) project developer Liquid Wind AB and compatriot municipal energy provider Umeå Energi AB have announced that signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) with RoPax ferry operator Wasaline (NLC Ferry Ab Oy) for the sale and purchase of eMethanol from the planned electro-fuel (eFuel) facility in Umeå.
Pursuant to the Letter of Intent (LoI), Liquid Wind, Umeå Energi, and Wasaline will explore opportunities to fuel the northernmost shipping line in the world, Wasaline, with eMethanol from the planned FlagshipTHREE in Umeå.
Currently operating on LNG/bioLNG, Wasaline’s hybrid RoPax ferry, M/S Aurora Botnia, is already equipped with dual-fuel engines and batteries.
The company’s goal is to fully decarbonize its ferry operations between Vaasa in Finland and Umeå in Sweden.
Together with Liquid Wind and Umeå Energi, we are investigating the possibilities and challenges in decarbonizing our route as part of a green corridor between Vaasa and Umeå. By using eMethanol as one option, we would use an electro-fuel that is locally produced, which also minimizes transport distances. We are eager to investigate this option together, commented Peter Ståhlberg, Managing Director of Wasaline.
We are proud to partner with Wasaline to power the Aurora Botnia ferry with eMethanol. The Letter of Intent showcases the strong possibilities and growing demand for eFuels in the Nordics and beyond. Together with Umeå Energi, we are now putting local and regional infrastructure and supply in place, in Northern Sweden, said Claes Fredriksson, CEO and Founder of Liquid Wind.
Production from Liquid Wind’s FlagshipTHREE project is expected to begin in 2027, with 100,000 tonnes per year of eMethanol.
I am delighted that we are expanding our alliance with Liquid Wind and welcoming Wasaline to our esteemed list of partners. This cross-border collaboration is pivotal for us as we strive to make the essential shift towards a sustainable future, said Jan Ridfeldt, CEO of Umeå Energi.