The esteemed shortsea vessel owner and operator, UECC, has recently announced a new and innovative initiative designed to assist car manufacturers in reducing their carbon footprint when shipping finished vehicles across the ocean.
Named “UECC Sail for Change,” this groundbreaking program offers car manufacturers the unique opportunity to transport their vehicles on vessels powered by renewable fuels. UECC has described Sail for Change as an opportunity for customers to directly contribute to the positive transformation of their maritime supply chain by facilitating a much-needed fuel transition.
As part of the program’s launch, UECC has introduced “Green Gas Month,” an ambitious project that involves the use of liquefied bio-methane on all five of its car carriers. These innovative vessels, consisting of two dual-fuel LNG pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) and three multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid PCTCs, will be refueled at their regular berth at Zeebrugge port, with supply sourced from the Fluxys terminal.
UECC has reported that the biofuel, derived from manure, has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to previous alternative fuels. It is estimated that during the first month alone, emissions will be reduced by approximately 8,000 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e). Furthermore, the company has committed to reducing 1,000 metric tonnes of carbon emissions initially, with plans to increase this figure in the future.
Through the Sail for Change program, car manufacturers have the option to switch to biofuel during the transportation of their vehicles. Daniel Gent, UECC’s energy and sustainability manager, emphasized that this initiative gives customers the means to actively support a crucial change in fuel that results in emission reductions from the vessels involved in transportation. He added that Sail for Change is highly adaptable to the specific needs of customers, allowing them to begin with any scale they desire.
In addition, UECC has been diligently working towards achieving its target of reducing emissions from operations by 45% by 2030. The usage of ISCC-certified sustainable biofuel B100 on both owned and time-chartered ships has more than doubled, reaching 14,000 metric tonnes last year, a significant increase from 6,500 metric tonnes in 2022.
Furthermore, UECC achieved a total tank-to-wake emissions reduction of over 60,000 tonnes across its 14-vessel fleet in 2023. The increased usage of biofuel contributed to roughly 40,000 tonnes of this reduction, with the remaining coming from LNG, marking an impressive near-250% increase from the previous year.
UECC has also made significant progress in the introduction of biofuel to its vessel service, collaborating with industry partners to assess the potential of new biofuels, such as a biofuel made from a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters and a unique cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL)-based biofuel.
The notable strides made by UECC in championing sustainable fuel alternatives have garnered attention in the maritime industry and are indicative of a promising future for the decarbonisation of ocean transportation. With “Sail for Change,” UECC is not only addressing the urgent need for emissions reduction but also revolutionising the way vehicles are transported across the ocean, marking a pivotal moment in the industry’s efforts towards sustainability.