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It also confirms that emissions of other local pollutants, such as sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), are close to zero when using LNG compared with current conventional oil-based marine fuels.

“This study confirms that our customers contribute to a cleaner environment and a cleaner future. From a market perspective, it gives an in-depth understanding for shipowners still in doubt whether to convert to LNG for their newbuilds. Taking into consideration that the study includes the entire life-cycle of the fuel it adds value and reasons to continue developing the LNG for marine fuel purposes and beyond”, comments Kimmo Rahkamo, Vice President, Natural gas and LNG at Gasum.

Reviewed by academic experts

The study, commissioned by SEA\LNG and SGMF, was conducted by leading data and consultancy provider Thinkstep according to ISO standards. The report, which has been reviewed by a panel of independent academic experts, is the definitive study into GHG emissions from current marine engines.

Engine technology

On an engine technology basis, the absolute Well-to-Wake emissions reduction benefits for LNG-fuelled engines compared with HFO fuelled ships today are between 14% to 21% for 2-stroke slow speed engines and between 7% to 15% for 4-stroke medium speed engines. 72% of the marine fuel consumed today is by 2-stroke engines with a further 18% used by 4-stroke medium speed engines.

Gasum reports its key responsibility events and performance annually in its Corporate Responsibility Report. Report for year 2018 was recently published and available in English at www.gasum.com > Publications.

Enabling emission cuts

Gas plays an increasingly important role in efforts to cut carbon dioxide emissions as well as local emis-sions in the road and maritime transport sectors. In 2018, Gasum continued to develop the low-emission road fuel market in the Nordic countries. Strong growth in the number of gas-fuelled vehicles was seen during the year in Finland. Gasum committed to opening 50 new gas filling stations for heavy-duty vehicles in the Nordics by the beginning of the 2020s. 

At the same time, access to liquefied natural gas (LNG) at sea was increased through efficient bunkering operations and a further increase in bunkering operations is foreseen.

In addition to offering low-carbon solutions for road and maritime transport, industry and energy produc-tion, Gasum enables climate change mitigation through efficient operations. In 2018, the company switched to renewable electricity in all operations and reached its annual energy savings targets. 

New partnerships and circular economy innovations

Gasum’s network of biogas plants is a model example of circular economy implementation. In 2018, the plants processed a broad biodegradable feedstock base totalling 744,000 tonnes in renewable fuel produc-tion and development of recycled nutrient products.  

Gasum entered into several partnerships during 2018. In these, unique business models are based on clos-ing the loop. At the core of these partnerships, biogas is produced from the partner’s own waste. A remark-able project was implemented at the Turku biogas plant, aiming at increased biomass processing capacity and access to biogas as well as launching new recycled nutrient products.

Active safety culture in 2018 

Gasum’s safety culture is undergoing strong development. A record number of registered safety observa-tions, risk assessments and safety walks in 2018 demonstrated a significant improvement in proactivity in preventive safety work. The rate of injuries decreased in 2018 and is now at its lowest in ten years. 

Gasum continued to develop personnel wellbeing, competence and leadership. The workplace community survey indicated a positive trend in employee satisfaction. The updated leadership principles form a strong platform for the renewal of Gasum’s Nordic company culture.

Implementing strategy

Gasum continued to implement its strategy to develop the Nordic gas market. In 2018, Gasum’s investment focus was on fixed assets and business acquisitions. Gasum made an acquisition of the Enegia energy mar-ket services business, which enables service expansion in the energy wholesale market and creates a plat-form for expanded product offering to customers. In addition, Gasum increased its shareholding in Skangas to 100%. Gasum also made preparations for the opening up of the Finnish gas market effective from the beginning of 2020.

Stakeholder dialogue and revision of responsibility program

In 2018, Gasum conducted an extensive survey to find out stakeholders’ views on Gasum’s responsibility. Nearly 1,100 representatives of various stakeholder groups took part in the dialogue. The most important responsibility themes included safety and security, curbing climate change, promoting the circular economy, supply certainty of and access to gas, and responsible business. Based on the results, Gasum conducted a revision of the corporate responsibility program and adopted a new program and related objectives at the beginning of 2019. Gasum supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Please read the Gasum Corporate Responsibility report in 2018 >

Scheduled to be operational in 2020, Tampere Regional Solid Waste Management's new biogas plant will process the biowaste of 17 municipalities and the wastewater sludge of the City of Nokia. The plant will produce renewable biogas and organic fertilizers. 

The annual production capacity of the plant will be around 25 GWh of biogas, with the bulk of this to be injected into the Gasum transmission network. The amount is equivalent to the consumption of around 2,000 gas-fueled cars and covers the current biogas sales of Gasum's filling stations in the Tampere region as well as the growing demand of the years ahead. Increasing the use of biogas as a road vehicle fuel is one solution in action towards emission-free transport.

- Buying biogas from Tampere Regional Solid Waste Management enables us to support the targets set for transport emission reductions and improve access to biogas. Our collaboration is an excellent example of the regional opportunities available in circular economy where the value of waste as a raw material is understood, says Matti Oksanen, Director, Business Development, Biogas, from Gasum.

Biogas use in waste transport to increase

For Tampere Regional Solid Waste Management, the transport use of biogas enables emission reductions and a frontrunner role in the entire waste management supply chain. The aim for the next few years is to achieve strong growth in the use of biogas to fuel waste transport.

- By collaborating with Gasum we can secure the full energy recovery of biogas right from the opening of the plant. We’ll organize centralized competitive tendering for waste transport and will therefore be able to generate significant growth in demand for biogas as a road fuel, says Managing Director Harri Kallio from Tampere Regional Solid Waste Management. 

Gas will also be available for fill-ups at a distribution point to be constructed in the immediate vicinity of the plant.

The energy company Gasum is the leading biogas producer in the Nordic countries and owns the transmission network used for distribution of gas as well a gas filling station network in Finland. Gasum is investing strongly in increasing the transport use of gas by constructing new gas filling stations in Finland and creating a filling station network for heavy-duty vehicles in the Nordics. 

Tampere Regional Solid Waste Management is a company owned by 17 municipalities and tasked with the municipalities' statutory waste management service provision. The two-line biogas plant connected to the wastewater treatment plant will be unique in Finland and result in a major improvement in the company’s treatment services. Biowaste and sludge will be processed at the plant in their own lines, which will enable the further processing of biowaste into organic fertilizers and the high-quality nutrient cycling of nitrogen and phosphorus. The total value of the biogas plant investment exceeds €23 million. The Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has granted the project €4.55 million in key energy project support.