Tallink Begins Transition to Bio-LNG Fuel on Shuttle Vessels

AS Tallink Grupp’s newest shuttle vessel MyStar has bunkered bio-LNG six times over the past few months. The liquefied natural gas, produced from renewable raw materials and supplied by Elenger, significantly reduces emissions from maritime transport and helps lower the environmental footprint in the Baltic Sea region.

“Our cooperation with Elenger has been smooth, and we are able to gradually increase the use of bio-LNG depending on its availability and price,” said Paavo Nõgene, CEO of AS Tallink Grupp. “Our goal is to fully replace the LNG needs of both MyStar and Megastar with bio-LNG within the next year. This means that both our passenger and freight customers can reduce their own environmental impact by choosing to travel with Tallink,” Nõgene added.

While bio-LNG is already widely used by land-based transport and industrial clients, its use in maritime transport is now expanding. Elenger provides certification for bio-LNG, verifying that a specific amount of renewable material-based fuel has been used in the supply chain and that it meets international standards.

“Tallink is setting an example for other operators in the Baltic Sea,” said Margus Kaasik, CEO of Elenger Group. “Tallink was one of the first to invest in new technology and began using LNG as early as 2017. Now they’re taking the next step toward bio-LNG, and Elenger has supported them throughout this journey,” he added.

The transition to the new fuel will not automatically lead to higher ticket prices for passengers or freight customers. While bio-LNG is more expensive, its CO₂ quota requirements are lower than those of fossil fuels.

 

AS Tallink Grupp is one of the leading providers of passenger and cargo transport services in the Baltic Sea region. The company operates ships on routes between Estonia, Finland, and Sweden, managing a fleet of 11 vessels under the Tallink Silja Line and Tallink Shuttle brands. In addition to maritime transport, Tallink Grupp is engaged in short- and long-term chartering of ships, operates four hotels and a restaurant in Tallinn and Riga, and runs a successful travel retail business with shops located both onboard and onshore. The company also holds the Burger King© franchise in the Baltic States and manages subsidiaries related to the tourism and transport sectors in six EU countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, and Germany. Tallink Grupp's vision is to provide high-quality, sustainable, and innovative travel and transport services in the northern Baltic Sea region. The company's shares are listed on the Nasdaq Tallinn and Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchanges.