Progress of the measures

Implemented

THE STATE OF IMPLEMENTION OF THE MEASURE

This measure will not be continued under the programme of measures 2022–2027 as the use of LNG has progressed well and its use will be further promoted by measures taken by the transport sector.

DESCRIPTION

Use of LNG (liquefied natural gas) as fuel is cost-effective and for environmental reasons the best solution to meet the sulphur regulations of the MARPOL Convention’s Annex VI. Use of LNG also cuts other harmful emissions as for example oxide and particle emissions of nitrogen. Decreasing the oxide emissions from nitrogen decreases the nitrogen fallout, which causes eutrophication in the Baltic Sea. Even the CO2 emissions of the maritime traffic will be decreased by getting the share of unburned methane emissions under control. Finland has already significantly promoted nationally the use of LNG and building of the necessary infrastructure.

This measure promotes the use of liquefied natural gas i.e. LNG as a fuel used by vessels through the implementation of the national LNG measure programme. It will be secured that the necessary infrastructure required for using LNG as a fuel is built both for the needs of road and maritime traffic.

SCHEDULE

2014–2025

MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTY

Ministry of Transport and Communications (LVM) and Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland (TEM) and Ministry of the Environment (YM)

Projects to be carried out under the measure

National maritime LNG programme

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION

In 2012, the Finnish transport administration prepared a national maritime LNG programme as part of the review of future transport fuels. The programme identified the responsible parties who would have to promote the adoption of LNG as the fuel used by vessels and to build the necessary infrastructure. Both these measures require public-private partnerships. Finnish shipping companies have had the courage to innovate and experiment. As a result, Finnish vessels have been the first to test environmentally friendly maritime innovations in the world. Viking Line’s Viking Grace and Tallink Silja’s Megastar were the first passenger ships in the world to run on LNG.

SCHEDULE

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT AND FUNDING

MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTY AND CONTACT

Transport administration

Replacing transport equipment with equipment running on LNG in shipping companies

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION

In 2018, ESL Shipping will commission two modern dry bulk cargo vessels equipped with new technology and running on LNG: Haaga and Viikki. Containerships will renew its fleet by commissioning four container vessels running on LNG in 2018. In addition to the new vessels, Containerships will invest in the reduction of emissions in the supply chain by introducing new LNG trucks to the supply chain. Containerships is the first company in Europe that aims to build a supply chain fully based on the use of LNG.

SCHEDULE

2018–

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT AND FUNDING

MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTY AND CONTACT

ESL Shipping and Containerships

Viking Line’s LNG vessels

The Finnish Border Guard’s hybrid vessel

Hybrid icebreaker

Construction of LNG terminals

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION

LNG is delivered from terminals via pipelines or using trucks or LNG tankers. The first LNG terminal in Finland became operational in Tahkoluoto, Pori in 2016, followed by an LNG terminal in Röyttä, Tornio in 2017. The third LNG terminal is scheduled to be completed in Hamina in 2020.