By 2030, Solvang will be fully compliant with AER for all vessels, while the GFI target level will depend on the availability of CCS and biofuel. In 2050, net-zero GHG has moved from vision to reality in Solvang’s cargo operations – which will play a vital role for our clients worldwide.
Regulations under pressure: Coming to terms with reality
Global climate targets are intact, but regulatory pathways are redrawn as the UN and EU struggle to align ambition with economic and technological reality.
Solvang’s strategy is to pick the shortest open route to emission cuts. Currently, that route is efficiency optimization and cleaning exhaust gas – including CO2 – from conventional fuel operation.
There is no map beyond established routes, which is why Solvang’s Clipper Future programme keeps open different pathways through the energy transition.
Clipper Eirene’s excellent scores gave her a narrow lead this time, just ahead of Clipper Posh in second place, Clipper Eris in third, and Clipper Hermes with a strong fourth-place.
Vitali Kisliuk is Solvang’s site-manager at Hyundai’s shipyard in Korea. With a captain’s determination he prepares the seven VLGC newbuilds with an impressive set of environmental equipment – set to minimize the climate footprint and rule the waves of ECO gas carriers.
Solvang deploys comprehensive measures to protect the marine environment, in compliance with GRI 101: Biodiversity, and the UN SDG 14 – Life below water.
Solutions and knowledge don’t come easy, which is why Solvang widens and deepens our research and development portfolio. With operational data from live testing in Solvang, the global knowledge expands. Read about the projects and areas of research.
The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Directive CSRD was adopted in 2024 to set Europe on a green trajectory. This is Solvang’s first report – following the VSME standard (voluntary environmental reporting standard for small and medium-sized enterprises)
The global reporting initiative (GRI) framework allows Solvang to communicate our impacts on the economy, environment and people in a transparent way. The following GRI disclosures cover topics within governance, strategy, policies and practices, climate change mitigation and adaptation, emissions, waste and water management, and social responsibility.
Our goal is to minimise operational and indirect emissions, and strive for zero spills to the environment. This is how Solvang deploys all systems to minimize our operational footprint on the environment and climate.
The new GHG regulations from the EU and IMO announce a new era for global shipping. Solvang has carefully prepared for what is to come. By 2030, all our vessels will be fully compliant with AER, while the GFI target level will depend on the availability of CCS and biofuel.
In 2024, Solvang completed the installation of wet electrostatic precipitators (WESPs) on five vessels; Clipper Eris, Clipper Eirene, Clipper Enyo, Clipper Eos, and Clipper Wilma.
After the EU backtracked on some extensive disclosure requirements in their climate reporting directives, Solvang Shipping has moved on with our measures. In a climate of shifting international frameworks, Solvang sticks to our path of investments into eco accountability. Our double materiality asssessment of sustainability factors is the current milestone reached.
Clipper Eris achieved the best inspection rate observation numbers with 1.1 in weighted scorer for 2024. Closely followed by Clipper Enyo and Clipper Vanguard. The fleet averaged 1.73 observations per inspection.
Seven new VLGCs, all settled on long-term charters, will expand Solvang’s Panamax capacity in the LPG segment from delivery in 2026 and 2027. All vessels will boost climate performance as they come ready for onboard carbon capture.
The Carbon Intensity Indicator: Emissions during port idling should be excluded
Reallocating CO2 emission allowances from ships to ports when keeping cargo idle due to handling issues, would help correct the Carbon Intensity Indicator and would make the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEMP III) a better tool for crew, shipowners and climate authorities, according to Solvang HSEQ Manager Per-Øyvind Nedrebø.
SEAMANSHIP: Solvang’s 2023 Energy Efficiency Award pits more than 20 crews against eachother in terms of cunning energy savings. The winner was exceptional.
Highlights 2023: Massive ECO upgrades during dry-dockings
11 vessels were dry-docked due to scheduled classing and certification during 2023. All vessels achieved EEXI certification after installing EPL (engine power limitation), sandblasting and hull anti-fouling treatment, Mewis Ducts installed (9 vessels), as well as full drivetrain optimization on four of the vessels.
After 12 years of experimentation, research and development, Solvang and our partners present a game changer technology: The shipboard carbon capture system.
Given the precarious need for climate change mitigation and a scarce supply of renewable energy sources in the foreseeable future, renewable energy sources should be deployed where the climate effect is highest, which sometimes implies a tradeoff between sectors.
