GEFO’s LNG dual fuel tanker Tosca is the first chemical tanker in the maritime industry to be awarded the Green Award CO₂ label, setting a new benchmark for environmental performance and responsibility.

The certification underlines GEFO’s commitment to sustainability and means that the vessel is eligible for financial incentives for sustainable ships in ports worldwide.

“This external validation emphasises the pioneering role of our fleet in developing commercially viable solutions as regulators catch up,” says Sven von Appen, CEO of the GEFO Shipping Group. “Differentiation as a pioneer will be critical as the energy transition in the industry continues.”

With a fleet of 150 vessels (both inland and ocean-going), of which 92 are Green Award certified, GEFO has made significant investments in emission-reducing technologies, and Tosca’s CO₂ label is an important milestone in the company’s sustainability efforts. As the Tosca is largely powered by LNG, the ship consistently achieves significantly lower carbon emissions.

“This achievement not only places Tosca at the forefront of the specialty chemical tanker segment but also cements Tosca’s status as a trailblazer,” says Sven von Appen. “The vessel was also the first chemical tanker in the 7,000 dwt range to run on LNG.

“Tosca’s Green Award certification and Green Award CO₂ label promises to drive further incentives and support for voluntary impact industry wide,” adds Jan Fransen, Executive Director at Green Award Foundation adding that all 18 deep sea vessels in the GEFO fleet have Green Award certification.

“I confidently predict that where Tosca has led, others in the speciality chemical tanker segment and beyond, will follow.”

GEFO’s other projects involve the use of green fuels such as green methanol, ammonia or hydrogen for alternative propulsion systems of inland barges or deep-sea vessels and the role of a logistics service provider to transport these new alternative energy sources within the whole European inland barging and shortsea region.

The quest for saving fossil fuels poses huge challenges for chemical tanker operators on short sea trades. One step beyond switching to alternative fuels, is installing aids to mechanical propulsion. GEFO is close to installing a Flettner Rotor on one of its larger deep-sea vessels. This will provide extra thrust and could reduce traditional fossil fuel consumption by up to 15%.