RMC, Viking Line, Åbo Akademi and Kempower are developing a carbon-neutral sea route between Stockholm and Turku
Business Finland has granted EUR 1,596,000 funding for a joint project between Rauma Marine Constructions, Viking Line, Åbo Akademi University and Kempower. The project, named Decatrip, aims to develop solutions that enable carbon-neutral shipping between Turku and Stockholm. It is estimated that this target can be reached by 2027.
On 9 September 2022, Business Finland granted funding, totalling EUR 1,596,000 to Decatrip, a joint project between Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC), the ship owner Viking Line, Åbo Akademi University, and Kempower, DC fast charging solutions provider. The Decatrip project aims to develop a carbon-neutral “green corridor” between Turku and Stockholm through which cargo and passengers can travel.
The solutions developed in the project will enable fully carbon-neutral freight and passenger travel between Turku and Stockholm, but the project will also be scalable for other routes. This is important since all EU countries, Finland included, have signed on to build green maritime transport corridors.
Mika Laurilehto, interim CEO, RMC
The Business Finland funding is directed to RMC, Åbo Akademi University and Kempower. In addition, Åland-based Viking Line has received backing from the Government of Åland since Business Finland cannot grant funding to a company from Åland.
Initially, the project will aim to turn a sea route operated by Viking Line carbon neutral. Within the project, RMC is developing energy-efficient solutions for operating the ships, and together with Kempower, for charging electric vehicles on board the ships. Åbo Akademi University, which acts as a research partner in the project, will be evaluating the societal benefits of the green corridor. PBI Research Institute will coordinate the project. Fuel for the zero-carbon transport is planned to be manufactured locally in Southwest Finland.
Dr. Magnus Gustafsson, Research Director in Industrial Management at Åbo Akademi University, estimates that the decarbonisation of the Viking Line route between Turku and Stockholm can be achieved within five years.
Consumers increasingly want the products and services they buy to be sustainable, and this is reflected throughout the entire logistics chain. The project is starting from the position that the transition to zero emissions will not increase the costs significantly. This will provide passengers with a sustainable alternative, an opportunity for the industry to gain competitive advantage in sustainable transport, and a tangible example of how we can eliminate emissions in seafaring using Finnish expertise.
Dr. Magnus Gustafsson, Research Director in Industrial Management at Åbo Akademi University
More information:
Dr. Magnus Gustafsson
Research Director
Åbo Akademi University
Tel: +358 40 554 0507
Email: magnus.gustafsson@abo.fi
Mika Laurilehto
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Rauma Marine Constructions
Tel: +358 400 833 620
Email: mika.laurilehto@rmcfinland.fi
Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) is one of Europe’s leading shipbuilding companies. The Rauma-based company, founded in summer 2014, is fully under Finnish ownership. RMC specializes in the construction and maintenance of car and passenger ferries, icebreakers and defense vessels. More information at http://www.rmcfinland.fi
Viking Line is the market-leading brand in passenger traffic on the Baltic Sea with traffic between Finland, Åland and Sweden as well as between Finland and Estonia. With over 2,000 employees we are Finland’s leading shipping industry employer.Our roots originate from the archipelago and many of our employees live here. We work for sustainability in everything we do, and our new climate-smart ship Viking Glory started to traffic 1 March 2022. With the focus on environment, comfort and our customers, tomorrow’s travel experiences take shape.
Åbo Akademi is a multidisciplinary academic university that offers internationally renowned research and education. Through cross-border collaboration, we serve as the gateway to Finland for the Nordic countries. We endeavour to enhance diversity, inclusion, equality and sustainability
Media enquiries:
Paula Savonen, Communications Director, Kempower
+358 400 343 851
Kempower designs and manufactures DC fast charging solutions for electric vehicles. We’re a team of electric vehicle enthusiasts with a deep understanding of the charging market and a hands-on mentality. Our product development and production are based in Finland, with a majority of our materials and components sourced locally. We focus on all areas of transportation, from personal cars and commercial vehicles to mining equipment, boats and motorsports. With Kemppi Group’s 70 years’ experience in perfecting DC power supplies, we set the bar high in engineering and user-experience design. Kempower is listed in the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland. www.kempower.com