Wasaline Sign LoI For Supply Of eMethanol

The Finland-based Wasaline carrying passengers and cargo on its modern Ro-Pax ferry “Aurora Botnia” between Vaasa in Finland and Umeå in Sweden, has announced together with electrofuel production developer Liquid Wind and the regional energy company Umeå Energi, the signing of a Letter of Intent for the sale and purchase of eMethanol from the eFuel facility in Umeå, Sweden.

Pursuant to the Letter of Intent, Liquid Wind, Umeå Energi and Wasaline will explore opportunities to fuel the northernmost shipping line in the world, Wasaline, with eMethanol from FlagshipTHREE in Umeå.

Wasaline’s hybrid ferry “Aurora Botnia” is already equipped with dual-fuel engines and batteries.

The company’s goal is to fully decarbonize their ferry operations between Vaasa in Finland and Umeå in Sweden.

The production from Liquid Wind’s eFuel facility project FlagshipTHREE is expected to begin in 2027 with 100,000 tons per year of eMethanol.

Claes Fredriksson, chief executive and founder of Liquid Wind, said: “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.”

Jan Ridfeldt, chief executive of Umeå Energi, added: “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.”

Peter Ståhlberg, managing director of Wasaline, commented: “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 electrofuel that is locally produced, which also minimizes the transport distances. We are eager to investigate this option together.”

^{Source: Liquid Wind}