Climate change mitigation: Navigating unsettled waters
There is no map beyond established routes, which is why Solvang’s Clipper Future programme keeps open different pathways through the energy transition.
SHORT-, MEDIUM-, LONG-TERM: Solvang adresses climate mitigation plan (GRI 102-1) with our transition plan Clipper Future. On a short-, medium and long-term horizon, the plan deploys energy efficiency, operational optimization, and scalable technology – all to ensure full compliance with IMO energy-efficiency regulations. This includes the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), but it does not rely on a single future fuel solution.
«All vessels are EEXI-recertified, and systematic upgrades across the fleet have delivered substantial improvements in operational efficiency,» says Tor Øyvind Ask, Fleet Director at Solvang.
37-49% GHG efficiency improvement
In a period of fleet expansion and growing cargo capacity, the average Solvang vessel has cut her emissions by more than 20%. In terms of Annual Efficiency Ratio (AER), the yield from technical and operational modifications is significant.
Since 2009, Solvang has reduced the fleet Annual Efficiency Ratio (AER) by approximately 37%. Included cargo efficiency, the reduction is 49%. IMO’s 2030 target is 40%.
Well-to-wake reality
Solvang recognizes that well-to-wake emissions limit the potential of conventional fuel optimization alone. As zero-carbon fuels remain limited in supply and energy-intensive to process, Solvang toghether with Wärtsilä has developed onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) into full-scale maritime application.
The pilot OCCS facility on Clipper Eris integrates CO2 capture and storage with NOx, SOx and particle filtration, demonstrating full viability as a transition technology.
Looking toward 2050, Solvang’s Clipper Future programme projects OCCS-ready newbuildings capable of operating on whichever GHG-neutral fuels become available. Rather than committing prematurely to a single fuel pathway, Solvang prioritizes technological flexibility, ensuring that vessels delivered today can remain compliant and competitive throughout their operational lifetime.
CLIPPER FUTURE: 2030-2050
Mid-term plan: Target 2030*
Full AER/CII compliance for all vessels
Ethylene fleet: With 2% AER reduction per year for E-class and modified H-class, the vessels will keep their B rates in 2026 and continue on a C rate up to 2030.
LGC fleet: With 2% AER reduction from 2026-2030, based on existing LGC modifications and continued pattern of operational improvement, the LGC fleet will be in IMO compliance in 2030.
VLGC fleet: Assuming continuous AER reduction from 2026-2030, the fleet average required in 2030 should be within requirment levels. Due to CII requirements, not the EEXI certification, speed for some of the vessels in 2030 will be limited to achieve compliance
GFI target level (CO2 fuel intensity)
Depends on availability of CCS and biofuel.
Long-term plan: Target 2050
New fuel regime
Solvang’s long-serving approach to conventional fuels in a well-to-wake perspective, will eventually be replaced by zero-carbon fuels or OCCS. Availability and elevated price issues will need to be dealt with.
Clipper Future design
Solvang projects 100% GHG reduction by 2050 (from 2008) and 50% increased fuel efficiency in a mixed scenario of CCS and e-fuel/biofuel. All vessels will be able to modify operations for GHG-neutral fuels. This adds to
Solvang ECO design, including optimization of hull lines, cargo intake, cruising range, propeller/rudder design, heat recovery, optimal engine load a.o.
Radical new technologies like wind assistance or air lubrication of the hull should be considered in due time.
Electro-fuel
Artificial fuel processed from air, water, and renewable electricity. According to a recent study renewable electricity from clean sources will be limited for the next decades. The current capacity is not comparable to the amounts of alternative fuel needed to supply deep sea shipping on any significant scale.
Biofuel
Biofuel is the only alternative able to compete effectively with a fully exhaust-cleaned fossil counterpart, combined with CCS. Sufficient availability will be defining for the future fuel scenario in shipping.
OCCS
By 2050, Solvang holds necessary experience from onboard carbon capture and storage to effectively support world-wide use. In combination with biofuel and/or electrofuel with CO2 permanently kept out of greenhouse gas systems, GHG output could turn negative.
Regulations prospect
The industry expects tighter regulations on emissions other than CO2, particularly SOx, NOx, CO, THC, and particles. Future regulations will depend on trade-offs between fuel, engine and cleaning technology.
There will be no fully clean fuel in a well-to-wake perspective, because all propellants require a form of processing. Also ”clean fuel” will need cleaning.
Negative GHG scenarios
By 2050, Solvang could potentially combine biofuel operation with OCCS capturing 70+ percent of CO2 emissions, resulting in a neutral GHG output.
In a 100% biofuel operation scenario, plus OCCS, the GHG output will be negative by the carbon capture tonne-for-tonne captured and stored.
Recycled carbon scenario: OCCS + E-fuel
If renewable or nuclear-based electricity is used to produce e-fuel with recycled carbon, the cost might be close to 50% of e-diesel produced by DAC (direct air capture/biogenic CO2).
Carbon offset
If GHG emissions cannot be fully eliminated, they can be offset by emission reduction projects. An exchange of CO2 quotas is currently active, trading carbon cuts to a lower price than using alternative fuels.
