Finnish heavy-duty transport expert Simeon: ”Gas is energy of the future”

Heavy-duty transport will be propelled by an increasingly diverse range of power sources in the future, the Finnish transport company Simeon believes. Simeon operates in bulk liquid transports, with its fleet including a gas-powered tractor unit.

Specializing in the transport of liquid dangerous goods, Simeon is bold to experiment when it comes to energy choices. The company is a partner to several energy companies and knows the different power sources very well.

"We want to test the different power sources and choose those that best match our various needs," says CEO Pontus Stenberg.

The company got its first gas-powered tractor unit in spring 2019.

"We’re monitoring the developments in the energy sector and power sources very closely. Gas is one good fuel for us," says Stenberg.

Transport experts at Simeon believe that the energy sector will become increasingly diverse in the future. A variety of power sources will be available, with environmental efficiency and price being the decisive factors on the basis of which choices are made.

Gas-powered tractor unit popular among drivers

The turnover of the Kiitosimeon Group is around €60 million. The company employs a total of 500 heavy-duty transport professionals, including 400 drivers.

Simeon’s gas-powered Volvo is used to transport gas for partners. Stenberg is pleased with the new tractor unit.

"The vehicle has performed really well and the drivers like the gas-powered tractor unit. It has plenty of power and is nice to drive," he describes.

The gas-powered vehicle is also great in the urban environment as its noise level is as a rule clearly lower than that of diesel trucks.

LNG is a clean and competitive fuel

Simeon’s gas-powered tractor unit is fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG is well suited for heavy-duty transport as it is clean and competitively priced. LNG use generates hardly any fine particulate emissions and therefore does not have adverse effects on urban air quality. Liquefied biogas (LBG) can also be used to fuel the same vehicles. LBG is equal to LNG in terms of its chemical composition.

Environmentally friendly and renewable biogas is produced from biodegradable feedstocks such as household biowaste, retail outlets’ food waste, municipal wastewater sludge and agricultural side streams. Biogas is part of the circular economy and its transport use can help cut greenhouse gas emissions over the fuel life cycle by up to 90%.

Gas-fueled vehicles are as powerful as diesel ones

Simeon CEO Pontus Stenberg expects to see fuel cost savings over the long term. LNG is a competitive fuel providing power equal to diesel.

"Time will tell where the total costs of getting a gas vehicle will stand when considering servicing and fuel costs in addition to the vehicle purchase price. The new vehicle has been an excellent performer," he says.

Efficiency improved by new solutions

Being innovative and testing new solutions are part of Simeon’s strategy.

”We’re constantly looking for new ways of developing our operations and business opportunities,” Stenberg says.

For example, Simeon has already applied for three exemption permits from the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom for its extra heavy or long vehicle combinations.

”We aim for improved efficiency with these solutions and want to reduce the environmental impacts of transport. The more efficient the transport and the larger the volume of goods transported by the vehicle, the lower the burden on the environment,” Stenberg points out.

12.3.2020