M/s Finlandia at the dock – renewal works in the engine, machine and navigation systems, new rudders and propeller blades
Eckerö Line's m/s Finlandia is at the shipyard until 8 February 2024. Large scale structural changes that reduce fuel consumption and emissions will be made during docking. M/s Finlandia returns to service on 8 February and departures at 15:15 from Helsinki to Tallinn. While m/s Finlandia is at the dock, our cargo ship m/s Finbo Cargo, which also transports motor vehicles, operates as usual from Vuosaari harbour in Helsinki to Muuga in Tallinn.
A number of large-scale technical maintenance and renewal works are carried out in the engine, machine and navigation systems, which enables an even more environmentally friendly traffic than today. M/s Finlandia will receive, among other things, new rudders and propeller blades.
The purpose of this measure is to reduce emissions and the estimated effect can be 6%. In addition, the bottom of the ship will be treated with a special paint, which makes the ship slide smoother and more frictionless in the water. This also contributes to reducing fuel consumption.
The importance of environmental work will increase even more in the future for both Eckerö Line and other maritime operators. In accordance with the climate goal, the EU aims to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030, and for the EU to be climate neutral by 2050. To reach the goal, EU legislation has also been updated with the Fit For 55 package for maritime transport. As of 1 January 2024, shipping and maritime actors like Eckerö Line will gradually join the EU ETS emissions trading system within the Fit For 55 package.
At EU ETS, Eckerö Line pays for carbon dioxide emissions from its ships m/s Finlandia and m/s Finbo Cargo. The package also includes the Fuel EU Maritime regulation, which will come into effect in 2025 and in accordance with the regulation, the shipping companies invest in the development, use and new technology of low-carbon and renewable fuel for a cleaner environment. EU ETS and Fuel EU Maritime are comprehensive systems and reforms in which Eckerö Line, like other shipping companies, invests significantly financially. They cause the need to include costs in the prices of tickets and lane meters. As of 1.1.2024, the EU ETS emission trading system surcharge of €1/journey is included in the ticket price. For cargo the ETS fee is 0.5 Euros per lane meter.