X-Press Feeders launches green methanol feeder network

X-Press feeders has established its green methanol-powered European feeder network with two services to Finland and the Baltics from Rotterdam. The Green Finland (GFX) and Green Baltic (GBX) services were launched alongside the naming and christening of first of X-Press Feeders’ 14 dual-fuel vessels, Eco Maestro.

A second vessel is due to join Eco Maestro this quarter, with the X-Press network expanding as vessels join the fleet.

GFX will run Rotterdam – Antwerp Bruges – Helsinki – Tallinn – HaminaKotka – Rotterdam, while GBX connects Rotterdam – Antwerp Bruges – Klaipeda – Riga – Rotterdam.

X-Press Feeders said the use of green methanol as a fuel will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 65%, and that its source of green methanol, created from renewable organic sources like waste and residues, is independently certified in Europe under the ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) standard. X-Press signed a deal for green methanol supply in Rotterdam with OCI Global in July last year.

Eco Maestro is the first of 14 dual-fuel vessels destined for the green X-Press network in Europe, under construction at Chinese yards. It took part in the first simultaneous methanol bunkering and cargo operation in May 2024.

Related:X-Press Feeders receives first retrofitted dual-fuel methanol container ship

Eco Umande was delivered to the line methanol-ready and immediately sent for a three-month retrofit for methanol operation at PaxOcean in Zhoushan, which was completed in June.

In February, Evergreen signed a memorandum of understanding with X-Press Feeders to place its containers on the green feeder ships, while V Ships France has announced it will manage four of the green methanol newbuilds for X-Press Feeders subsidiary Eastaway France.

“Today marks a significant milestone in sustainable shipping in Europe because companies here now have a regular scheduled network that can ship goods in a way that has less impact on the environment, helping companies to better achieve their sustainability goals,” said X-Press Feeders Chief Operating Officer, Francis Goh.

“X-Press Feeders chose northern Europe for the first routes in the network because we found that customers in this part of Europe were most receptive to our plans for sustainable shipping.” he said.