The case in summary: The ferry connection between Bergen and Stavanger accounts for a third of all emissions from ferries on the national road connection. This could last until 2031, something Bellona refuses to accept. The ferries between Halhjem and Sandvikvåg are mainly powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). It is possible to reduce emissions, but this is a question of costs. The chief engineer is unsure of what the future holds for the connection, but believes that gas operation will be common for quite some time to come. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. The stretch Halhjem – Sandvikvåg on the E39 between Bjørnafjorden and Stord can continue to be an environmental disaster right up to 2031, if the Swedish Road Administration makes use of the option to extend the tender with the management team. The environmental foundation Bellona refuses to accept that. – The Swedish Road Administration is the driving force behind the electrification of vessels in Norway. I’m actually over halfway, and they should be proud of that. But we can’t relax now, says senior adviser Sigurd Enge. Five ferries in shuttle traffic 108 times a day there is a ferry departure on E39 between Halhjem and Sandvikvåg. The route is one of two ferry routes when you drive between Bergen and Stavanger. The trip takes 45 minutes. But the trip also produces large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. The five ferries in the one connection emit a third of all greenhouse gases on Norwegian national road connections. Engines that run on natural gas are prone to large emissions of greenhouse gases. Photo: Olav Røli / news This despite the fact that they are only the third largest in traffic. By comparison, the largest ferry connection, Moss-Horten, accounts for only 8.9 per cent of emissions. This is according to statistics from the Norwegian Road Administration for 2023. Running on gas The ferries between Halhjem-Sandvikvåg are mainly powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which was a requirement when the shipping company Torghatten Nord took over operation of the connection in 2019. Facts about fuel on the ferries: Statens The Swedish Road Administration is responsible for 16 ferry connections that connect the national road network. These connections are operated with 46 ferries. As of 2024, 61 per cent of the ferries are green (27 electric, 1 hydrogen electric). 28 percent (13 ferries) are operated with liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is more environmentally friendly than ordinary marine gas oil (MGO), but which we no longer classify as a green fuel. The remaining ferries will still be operated with MGO, but are planned to be phased out in connection with new calls for tender. Source: Norwegian Public Roads Administration – It’s clean and nice down here, says chief engineer Roger Lekven on board the ferry M/F “Samnøy”. Up to 108 times a day there are ferries from one of the two ferry piers on the Halhjem-Sandvikvåg section. Each ferry is over 7,000 tonnes. Photo: Olav Røli / news Lekven realizes that the connection emits greenhouse gases, even though the use of natural gas helps to reduce emissions of the harmful nitrogen oxides, also known as NOX. – This is one of the busiest connections in Norway. There are five ferries in operation, an extremely high amount of traffic, and two minutes to the quay with loading and unloading, says Lekven. Roger Lekven is chief engineer on board the ferry M/F “Samnøy”. He tells about a quiet and clean engine room. Photo: Olav Røli / news Hydrogen produces less emissions Jan-Egil Wagnild, project and technology director at Torghatten Nord, believes that it is entirely possible to do something about the emissions at the connection. – We have shown that we have succeeded with electrification in Norwegian ferry transport. We deliver hydrogen across the Vestfjorden. The technology is here, says Wagnild. – Now it’s about political will! The shipping company has received the tender for operating the ferries between Moskenes-Røst-Værøy-Bodø, which is currently the third most climate-hostile connection in Norway. The new ferries here will run on hydrogen. But for the time being, it is uncertain when new technology will arrive on the Halhjem-Sandvikvåg connection in Vestland. This is one of the oldest contracts that the National Road Administration has on the national road network. From Halhjem in Vestland, heading towards the island of Stord. There are 54 departures from here per day on weekdays. Photo: Olav Røli / news Costs to cut Department director Dag Hole in the Norwegian Public Roads Administration says that the tender for Torghatten expires in December 2026. – We also have an option for one and one year until 2031, says Hole. This means that today’s ferries, with today’s technology, will at worst be used until 2031. Hole does not wish to comment on this. – We are now in a phase where we are analyzing the relationship, and we are keeping all possibilities open, he says. news Elise Caspersen, responsible for maritime Zero: From our point of view, the high emissions are an argument for prioritizing emission-free solutions, also on short-term options. Part of a short-term solution could be for the Norwegian Road Administration to pay for the use of biogas during a transitional period. In the new tender, there should be a requirement for electric or hydrogen-powered ferries. Thomas Theis-Haugan Sigurd Enge, senior councilor Bellona: The National Roads Association is the state’s responsibility, and they have so far been the driving force in the restructuring. If they are postponed, it will have an impact, both for emissions, but also for the supply chain and the development of the power grid that will supply the ferries with renewable energy. The ferry sector is an area where it was possible to reach the climate targets, and it will be negative if the bjøllesauen (National Roads Administration) stops its work on restructuring. Eli Bjelland Ada Martine Jakobsen, Director Maritime CleantechIf we are to achieve the agreed goal of cutting half of the emissions from ships along our coast by 2030, it is obvious that the most polluting ferry route must be dealt with. The stretch is optimal for hydrogen operation. The ferry connections where LNG is currently used are the most relevant for future hydrogen operation, as these are typically longer connections where battery operation is demanding. news Morten Andersen Anders Valland, head of research Sintef: You have to look at it holistically. The boats that go there today are new, and run on gas. Is it right to replace vessels just to achieve a reduction in emissions? Gas engines already have low emissions to air. With these engines, you can use admixture of hydrogen, if you get hold of sustainable hydrogen and the state is willing to pay for it. You can also replace fossil gas with biomethane. Today, it costs NOK 600 million a year to operate the Halhjem-Sandvikvåg connection. – It is possible to remove the discharge completely, but there will be a cost associated with it. If you want to have zero emissions, there is a choice between electricity or hydrogen, says Hole. Passenger Jan Thorsheim likes the ferry, but is surprised by the high greenhouse gas emissions. Photo: Olav Røli / news Uncertain about what the future holds Machine manager Lekven is unsure about what the future holds for the machine. But with today’s timetable, he thinks gas operation will be common for quite some time to come. – The future may be large battery packs. But then I have to have time to charge, and perhaps have several ferries on the connection. No, one simply has to see what happens, he says. Hello! Do you have thoughts after reading this case, or would you like to advise us about similar or other cases? Send me an email. Published 12/12/2024, at 05.23
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The ferry section Halhjem-Sandvikvåg on the E39 emits the most greenhouse gases – news Vestland
