X-Press Feeders, the world’s largest independent common carrier, has started Europe’s first scheduled feeder network in which the vessels are powered by green methanol, a sustainable marine fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 65%.  

The industry milestone coincided with today’s naming and christening ceremony in Rotterdam of X-Press Feeders’ first dual-fuel methanol-powered vessel. 

The newly christened vessel, named Eco-Maestro, is the first of 14 dual-fuel vessels X-Press Feeders has on order. X-Press Feeders plans to deploy these vessels mostly on routes in Europe, creating Europe’s first feeder network powered by green methanol. 

The initiative coincides with the EU’s implementation this year of an emissions trading scheme (ETS) for maritime shipping, creating an impetus for shippers to use more sustainable shipping channels. Fuel EU Maritime regulations starting in January 2025 will also mandate the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity on energy used on board ships. 

X-Press Feeders first methanol-powered feeder network offers services:  

• Green Finland X-PRESS (GFX): Rotterdam > Antwerp Bruges > Helsinki > Tallinn > HaminaKotka > Rotterdam 

• Green Baltic X-PRESS (GBX): Rotterdam > Antwerp Bruges > Klaipeda > Riga > Rotterdam 

Green bio-methanol is a more sustainable fuel because it is a renewable energy source produced from the decomposition of organic matter, such as waste and residues. 

X-Press Feeders is using green methanol that is independently certified in Europe under ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification).  

The company chose the Port of Rotterdam as the base for Europe’s first feeder network powered by green methanol because Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and is fully equipped to handle green methanol refuelling.  

Today’s milestone is also the result of the extensive collaboration between X-Press Feeders and several other key partners, such as the ports of: Antwerp Bruges, HaminaKotka, Helsinki, Klaipeda, Riga, and Tallinn.  

These partnerships are crucial in supporting the methanol-powered feeder network and ensuring seamless, sustainable logistics across the region. 

“Today marks a significant milestone in sustainable shipping in Europe because companies here now have a regular scheduled network that can ship goods in a way that has less impact on the environment, helping companies to better achieve their sustainability goals,” says X-Press Feeders Chief Operating Officer, Francis Goh.  

“X-Press Feeders chose northern Europe for the first routes in the network because we found that customers in this part of Europe were most receptive to our plans for sustainable shipping,” he says.  

“We plan to steadily expand the green network across Europe as we take delivery of our dual-fuel vessels,” he adds. Eco Maestro is the first to join the network while the second dual-fuel vessel will join by Q3 2024. 

“X-Press Feeders is committed to playing a vital role in decarbonizing the maritime industry and being at the forefront of innovation and sustainability,” he adds.