Dublin to Holyhead could become a model for cutting carbon emissions on ferry services across Europe, according to a new report.
The study carried out by environmental consultancy firm, Ricardo, considered how ferry companies could switch to greener sources of energy.
Both Irish Ferries and Stena Line currently run ferries powered by fossil fuels.
Making the switch could make the Dublin-Holyhead route one of first dedicated green shipping corridors in Europe.
But which fuel would be most suitable?
Researchers concluded that battery-powered ferries would have to be newly built. Batteries would be heavy and require a recharge every time the ship reached port.
The most feasible alternative, according to the study, is to retrofit Stena Line and Irish Ferries existing engines to allow them to be powered by methanol.
Doing so would reduce emissions by up to 80 percent.
Matthew Moss, Ricardo’s Maritime Sustainable Transport Principal Consultant Research, said:
“This study shows that the Holyhead–Dublin corridor offers strong potential as an early green shipping route in Europe.
The combination of high traffic volumes and vessel suitability means it is a realistic location to trial alternative fuels at scale.
While additional infrastructure investment will be required, methanol offers a pathway that can be enabled in the near term through vessel retrofits and established handling practices.
To build on this work, clear policy signals and government support will be essential in creating the conditions for investment and deployment, helping accelerate the wider decarbonisation of the maritime sector.”
Switching to methanol will not be without its challenges.
The report authors admit that although Holyhead would be the best site for onshore methanol facilities, the tides on the Welsh side “could complicate cable connection systems and installation.”
Since neither Ireland nor the UK currently have methanol production suitable for shipping, in the short term at least, the fuel would have to be imported from elsewhere in Europe.
The researchers admit that this would add to methanol’s carbon footprint.
The EU, Irish and UK governments will likely all need to get behind the project if it is to happen.
The report warns that the costs will be significant.
“Methanol remains significantly more expensive than conventional marine fuels, with annual operating costs estimated at £83–125 million compared to £34 million under fossil fuel use”, it warns.
But the pressure to clean up shipping is growing.
Ireland is committed to reducing emissions under national and EU law.
That means a solution will need to be found in the coming years.
“We see a clear pathway toward operating a green corridor, but significant infrastructure development is needed across the supply chain to make alternative fuels cost-competitive with conventional options”, said Irish Ferries’ Managing Director, Andrew Sheen.
“We strongly urge our governments to reinvest the substantial revenues generated through carbon taxes into research, development, and the scaling of alternative fuels and their supporting infrastructure.”