The first vessels with engines that can run on these fuel alternatives are in production and expected to hit the waters in 2024. In the early days of such first-generation, fossil-free engines, the sourcing of these fuels will present a challenge. Through this partnership, both companies want to help scale fossil-free shipping early on. While Aker Clean Hydrogen will secure access to green fuels, Kuehne+Nagel handles the booking of contracts for environmentally-friendly containers in cooperation with their carrier partners.
Aker Clean Hydrogen and Kuehne+Nagel are already in advanced discussions with container ship owners who share the ambition of fossil-free shipping and who want to convert to hydrogen, ammonia and methanol engines. Through partnerships with these carriers, Kuehne+Nagel's customers will in the future be able to purchase the appropriate amount of green fuels for their cargo via the Mass-Balance-Concept and instantly avoid CO2 emissions in their supply chains.
"The Mass-Balance-Concept is crucial in the transition towards replacing fossil fuels with green fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia," said Arne Faaberg, Managing Director of Kuehne+Nagel Norway. "This partnership with Aker Clean Hydrogen contributes to our commitment to a low-carbon business model. Together with them and our carrier partners we will be able to provide certified green container shipment".
"Shipping accounts for approximately 3% of the world's total emissions. With Kuehne+Nagel's Mass-Balance-Concept and green fuel from our planned hydrogen, ammonia and methanol projects around the world, we are well placed in the transition towards a more sustainable future for global shipping," said Knut Nyborg, Chief Executive Officer of Aker Clean Hydrogen.
