Mediterranean ferry company, Corsica Linea has set a 40% emissions reduction target.
More than 50 projects were recently launched to reduce its environmental footprint.
A few months after the arrival of the ropax ‘A Galeotta’ – the first ship powered by LNG to serve Corsica – a major environmental transition plan was deployed in order to continue the company’s de-carbonisation trajectory and work towards a sustainable Mediterranean maritime service.
The company has since outlined the projects set up and the first results obtained.
Responding pro-actively to the challenges of the ecological transition, from the electrical connection of the ferries at the quayside (CENAQ) in Marseille, to the significant reduction of atmospheric emissions, numerous investments have been undertaken within the fleet in order to actively respond to constantly evolving regulatory issues.
In line with an energy mix, more than 50 projects have been initiated in order to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030 (versus 2022) and move closer to carbon neutrality in 2040.
By the end of 2023, the various actions carried out have enabled Corsica Linea to reduce CO2 emissions per nautical mile by almost 8%, compared to 2022.
In addition, six methods were identified to accelerate the de-carbonisation. Among them, three levers allowed the improvement of the vessels’ energy efficiency and, consequently, the carbon footprint.
With departures advanced by an average of 30 mins on the Corsica routes, or several hours for the Maghreb route, plus the extension of crossing times, the fuel consumption is optimised in order to significantly reduce CO2 emissions.
The ships’ advances carried out during the technical stops, included the repainting of the silicone coatings on the hulls, which allowed for less friction in the water, the change of ships’ bow bulbs and propeller blades to consume less fuel, etc, to allow better efficiency.
In addition, the use of new de-carbonised fuels, including the integration of biofuel into the fleet in order to reduce CO2 emissions by almost 85%, compared to the fossil fuel equivalent, while preparing for a gradual change to alternative fuels that emit less CO2, such as bio-LNG and e-methanol, will be seen in the years to come.
More than €250 mill has been invested in the upgrading and renewal of the ships, including the arrival of a second LNG powered ship expected in spring 2026.
The de-carbonisation path is continuing this year, which will allow the company to show a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions per nautical mile by the end of 2024, compared to 2022 – the reference year.
In parallel, numerous awareness raising projects will be implemented in order to initiate actions for the de-carbonisation with the stakeholders and also the passengers.
“Our course is set – to be the most modern passenger and freight shipping company in the Mediterranean by 2030. The most modern because it is the most efficient in terms of customer satisfaction, the most committed to the environmental transition and the most exemplary in its societal footprint in the territories it serves,” Pierre-Antoine Villanova, General Manager of Corsica linea said.
