Tranzero initiative - fossil-free freight by sea, port and land

In an effort to speed up the transition to fossil-free fuels in the transport sector, Volvo Group, Scania, Stena Line, and the Port of Gothenburg have joined forces to bring about a significant reduction in carbon emissions linked to the largest port in the Scandinavia.

A joint step to realize the transition

Trade and freight transport are vital to expand public welfare and to ensure function and development of society. At the same time, the transport sector is a highly complex system, involving different modes of transport and organisations collectively facing big climate challenges.

Named the “Tranzero Initiative”, this venture is focused on the one million truck transports and the 55,000 tonnes of carbon emissions generated from road transports to and from the Port of Gothenburg each year. The Initiative also includes electrification of sea transport. The companies involved will introduce a series of interlinked measures designed to accelerate the switch to fossil-free fuels. This task has already commenced with a needs analysis and mapping of freight flows as part of the commitment to offering the market the right products and establishing a fossil-free fuel infrastructure to support this development.

Gothenburg Port Authority will produce the necessary infrastructure and access to fossil-free fuels for heavy vehicles, including electric power, HVO, biogas, and hydrogen gas. Volvo and Scania will put commercial offerings in place for their heavy truck customers, ensuring that in time land transport becomes fossil free in accordance with the goals laid down by the port. Stena Line will also have a key role to play by ensuring new fossil-free vessels are brought into service on the Gothenburg-Frederikshavn route by 2030, moving from vision to reality with its battery-powered vessel concept Stena Elektra.

The transition to fossil-free transport to and from the port will need government support for companies that need to upgrade their fleets, for example designated grants, subsidised charging points, and fossil-free fuels.

The transport sector needs to move away from its reliance on fossil fuels and the Tranzero Initiative is a big step forward.

Electrification of Heavy Transport

In January 2024, the reduction obligation will be lowered, likely leading to an increase in emissions from heavy traffic in the port area throughout 2024. This change is due to a decrease in the proportion of renewable blending in gasoline and diesel. Therefore, it is particularly encouraging that several developments related to the electrification of heavy transport occurred in 2023. The charging infrastructure for heavy truck traffic in the port cluster continues to evolve, and we are witnessing an increase in electric trucks operating in the port.

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