Danisk Ports Could Become International Models for Handling Green Fuels and CO2

The ports of Hanstholm and Frederikshavn in Denmark are leading the way in demonstrating how fishing and ferry operations can transition to green fuels and how CO2 can be managed for shipment and storage beneath the seabed. This is revealed in a new report, which also concludes that these results can be replicated worldwide.

When ferries, fishing vessels, and cargo ships transition to climate-friendly fuels like methanol, it requires new technology, new ships, and new infrastructure. The Marco Polo innovation project has conducted a preliminary study to evaluate the impact of this green transition on commercial ports like Hanstholm and Frederikshavn.

“We have examined the entire value chain, from the production of electricity from offshore wind turbines to the use of this electricity in methanol production. The methanol can ultimately be used as green fuel in future fishing vessels and ferries. We have quantified all of this, making us much more knowledgeable than we were before,” says Jens Therkelsen, Business Consultant at Thisted Municipality and Hanstholm Port.

The innovation project has also explored the potential for handling CO2, which could likely be stored in the North Sea’s subsoil off the coast of Hanstholm.

Challenging Assumptions

The Marco Polo project began in November 2022 and involves the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, Nordic Green Solutions, Hanstholm Port, the Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology, Aalborg University, Evida, and Energy Cluster Denmark.

A crucial aspect of the project has focused on safety at the ports, especially concerning the future shipment, production, or storage of methanol. Community buy-in is essential for these changes to be realized.

“The public perception of the green transition is crucial to making things happen. We have spent a lot of time on public engagement and interviews with port neighbors, port customers, and others who influence the development of port areas. We found that people’s perceptions are often based on incomplete assumptions or rumors. We aim to correct this so that facts drive the green transition,” says Anders Viborg Kristensen, Project Manager at the Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology.

Need for Demonstration

The Marco Polo partnership has received support from the Danish Business Promotion Board and the REACT-EU program. Throughout the project, Energy Cluster Denmark has facilitated the process, which has now reached its initial phase completion.

“The results from Marco Polo are promising and highlight the need for concrete demonstration projects following this feasibility study. The partner group is very open to new collaborations for solving specific issues through innovative projects,” says Gitte Wad, Project Manager at Energy Cluster Denmark and Project Leader for Marco Polo.

This sentiment is echoed by The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, which encourages anyone interested in Marco Polo’s results to engage in potential future innovation projects.

“Together with the partners in Marco Polo, we have developed a roadmap for future green ports that can be used by other ports in Denmark, Europe, or elsewhere in the world. It has been a pleasure for us as a center to be involved, and we are proud of the impact the project has now and will have in the long term. Everyone can use the project’s final report as a guide in their context, benefiting the green transition of our ports,” says Aleksandra Billeskov, Assistant Program Manager, The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.

Download the conclusions from Marco Polo in this report from the partner group.

About the Marco Polo Innovation Project

Marco Polo received funding from the Danish Business Promotion Board with 3.4 million DKK from the REACT-EU program and began in November 2022. The project concluded in August 2023 and the partner group consisted of: the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, Nordic Green Solutions, Hanstholm Port, the Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology, Aalborg University, Evida, and Energy Cluster Denmark.