The tanks of the coastal cruise ship Havila Polaris have been filled with 200 cubic meters of liquefied biogas supplied by Barents Naturgass at Polarbase in Hammerfest, Norway. This marks the start of a historic voyage for Havila Voyages, where CO2 emissions are reduced by more than 90% and demonstrate that greener shipping is already possible.

Over the course of its next round trip on the coastal route, Havila Polaris will in total take on 350 cubic meters of liquefied biogas. The first delivery of 200 cubic meters was supplied by Barents Naturgass at Polarbase in Hammerfest on Wednesday afternoon, and the remaining volume will be delivered in Bergen by Molgas Energy on Sunday 30 November.

“This is a proud and important day for Havila Voyages. We are proving that it is possible to sail the coastal route with extremely low emissions, without making any technical changes to our ships,” says CEO Bent Martini of Havila Voyages.

Preliminary calculations show that Havila Polaris will reduce its actual CO2 emissions by almost 92% through the use of biogas and the ship's battery packs. In addition, local emissions of NOx and SOx are completely eliminated when using biogas.

“Relevant stakeholders such as FuelEU Maritime and the Norwegian Environment Agency point out that biogas can deliver very large emissions reductions, down towards zero, depending on the purity of the gas,” says Martini.

“It is therefore a highly relevant solution that can make LNG-powered ships significantly cleaner. Worldwide, there are many LNG vessels in operation today, as well as many on order and under construction. In principle, these can be operated on biogas without further adaptations, which can help reduce emissions from shipping. At the same time, our industry must take a broad view when it comes to technical solutions and alternative fuels. Biogas is not the solution for everyone, but in combinations with good solutions for energy effenciency, carbon capture such as LNGameChanger, hydrogen, ammonia and methanol, the industry can take very big steps.”

Circular and clean
Today, around 800 gigawatt hours (GWh) of biogas are produced annually in Norway. Havila Voyages' four ships alone would need just under half of this volume to sail exclusively on biogas all year round.

“Norway has a long way to go when it comes to biogas production, and there are many good initiatives being launched that can increase the volume. Such initiatives must receive support in order to be realized, and with the Norwegian authorities on board it is possible. Biogas based on waste products and livestock manure will help solve waste and methane challenges, while also creating more jobs along our coast – which is very important to us as a company,” says Martini.

“In addition, the production of biogas will generate by-products such as biofertilizer. This will benefit the agricultural sector in this country. Biogas is simply a win-win.”

Biogas works
Some are skeptical about the use of so-called new and alternative fuels and fear that their introduction will compromise safety.

“First and foremost, biogas works. Havila Polaris behaves exactly the same as when using natural gas, since natural gas and biogas have the same properties,” says Captain Kurt Nærbø on board Havila Polaris.

“I am proud to have the honor of commanding this ship the first time we sail climate-neutral on biogas, and to work in a company that leads the way in showing that greener shipping is possible. Safety is paramount – I would never accept sailing this ship if there were any doubt whatsoever about that.”

A Kinder egg for Northern Norway
Barents Naturgass has supplied the biogas to Havila Polaris and sees many opportunities for the future.

“Biogas is a real Kinder Egg for Northern Norway – it solves waste problems from both households and the aquaculture industry, triggers major investments in industrial projects and creates new skilled jobs in rural areas. This is the circular economy in practice and an important contribution to the green transition in the north,” says Sales Manager Mikael Iversen at Barents Naturgass.

“Now that we are supplying liquefied biogas to Havila Voyages, we are showing that it is possible to carry out climate-neutral sailings along the Norwegian coast. This is an important breakthrough for green shipping and proof that technology, environmental considerations and value creation can go hand in hand. Biogas makes climate-neutral freight transport, travel and tourism possible. With projects like this, we are enabling both businesses and travelers to choose sustainable alternatives – while at the same time strengthening rural communities in the north,” he concludes.