EMEA News
Containerships Granted "Substantial Funding" by EU and NEFCO to Use LNG Bunkers
Containerships plc (Containerships) has announced that it has been granted "substantial funding" from the European Union (EU) and the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO) to support the company's project to utilise liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkers.
As Ship & Bunker has reported, Containerships has six LNG-fuelled newbuilds on order - a fleet which the Finnish cargo company has said would make it the first shortsea container operator in Europe to run ships on LNG.
Containerships says it also plans to invest in more LNG-powered trucks, as well as an LNG refuelling station in the UK.
"The participation of the European Union and NEFCO in the project gives us considerable support for building the first eco-friendly supply chain in Europe," said Kari-Pekka Laaksonen, CEO of Containerships.
"According to feedback from our customers, in the future, an increasing number of big corporations intend to use as emission-free supply chains as possible. For us, being environmentally friendly is practical also from the business point of view. And, thanks to the improvements, we can ensure that our customers will get their money's worth."
EU has granted the company €16.9 million, €10.7 million of which will be allocated to ship investments, while €6.2 million will go toward a European LNG terminal network, which is being developed with other partners.
Meanwhile, NEFCO will invest €5 million to support Containerships' environmental strategy in the Baltic Sea region.
Last month, Containerships, in its 2016 financial results, said higher bunker prices in Q4 put direct pressure on the company's operating expenses.
