The Climate Leap initiative has awarded the Erik Thun Group with funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by its dry cargo fleet. Conducted as part of the maritime company’s climate transition, the Erik Thun Group will invest SEK 36m (U$3.4m) to install battery packs on nine of its existing vessels.
Funds granted by the Climate Leap initiative will reimburse up to 40% of Erik Thun’s investment, up to a total of SEK 14.4m (U$1.3m). One condition of the reimbursement, however, is that all nine vessels need to secure and finalize a shore power connection when in port before June 30, 2024.
The installation of battery packs on board the dry cargo vessels will make connections to shore power more efficient, in addition to reducing engine run time in port, resulting in reduced emissions, less noise and enhanced safety levels. Furthermore, the planned battery installations will be used as a backup for the vessels’ systems should a power outage occur.
At present, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is making investments in local areas to achieve significant climate gains, a focus which aligns itself with the Climate Leap initiative’s main aim of reducing emissions that have an adverse effect on the climate.
To read more about sustainability initiatives in the marine sector, click here.