Quotes from Region Stockholms guidelines in budget 2020 

Boatplan Stockholm 2025

Region Stockholm should
photo by Anders Bengtsson

Boatplan Stockholm

Boat plan Stockholm is about how to convert the entire Stockholm archipelago traffic to 100% emission-free with electricity or hydrogen as fuel.
It is based on the guidelines decided by politicians in the Stockholm region for the reorganization of archipelago traffic in terms of climate, environment and attractive public transport.
New technology makes it possible to implement this at a lower cost than continuing with existing fleet of vessels and use biodiesel. Investment in new vessels and retrofit of half the fleet is SEK 1.5 billion, which is financed through Infranode and Vattenfall without burdening the Region's budget.
To be clear, it does not cost to convert the fleet to emission-free - no carbon dioxide, no nitrogenoxides and no particles, which are hazardous to the climate and the environment. The transition is profitable and there are therefore strong reasons to start immediately and aim for an implementation by 2025. Then Stockholm will retain the leadership in the race for stopping climate change.

 

Make full use of the new technology  

New vessels with a carbon-fiber hull riding on an air cushion lifting the vessel partially out of the water and reducing friction, new battery technology and new hydrogen technology make it possible to reduce energy consumption by 80 percent and radically reduce emissions.

Optimal operation through a new mix of vessels

The new fleet is made up of four main groups of vessels: new high-speed and emission-free vessels, vessels converted to hydrogen propulsion, new or rebuilt slow vessels with batteries, historic and selected other vessels for peak-shaving with smart HVO, which gives better utilization and better economy .

The combination of new technology and new fleet makes the transition profitable

Such a new fleet will have significantly lower energy costs than continued operation with current vessels, which must be converted to 100 percent HVO operation. The investments of SEK 1,500 million in new vessels / infrastructure are financially viable.

New external and long-term financing

Region Stockholm has called for co-financing from external partners in its budgetary guidelines. Two strong financiers, Vattenfall and Infranode , are prepared to engage with long-term funding to secure the climate change and the expanded public commuting.

The new archipelago fleet 

Mobirise

23 fast 
BB Green 24

New efficient and fast, emission-free vessels.
BB Green24 tops 35 knots with minimal waves.
Top speed > 25 knots  

Mobirise

11 Retrofitted hydrogen vessels

Selected existing ship must reduce speed and get converted into hydrogen drive. These will is also be used for ice-breaking and goods transport.
Speed < 12 knots 

Mobirise

16 Slow electric ferries

Some new vessels and older slow-moving commuter vessels will be converted into electric drive
Speed < 12 knots 

Mobirise

12 Peak - shaving vessels

Historic and some other vessels will be used for peak-shaving with smart HVO. Peak-shaving is used for demand peaks. 

FAQ Boatplan

Diesel engines are internal combustion engines and the exhaust gases consist of carbon dioxide and other. HVO emits as much carbon dioxide as fossil diesel but is considered carbon neutral because the alternative is to let the biomass remain on the ground and decay releasing carbon dioxide for a long period.

On longer routes than about 15 nautical miles (30 km) it will be too heavy and then hydrogen operation is better. Batteries are to prefer as the energy cost is much less than with hydrogen

No, with the fast energy efficient vessels, it will rather be better service through shorter travel times and probably more departures.

Because there are no plans other than to switch to HVO. The region's goal is fossil-free - not emission-free.

The archipelago fleet currently consumes 15 million liters of diesel a year, causing emissions of 40,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, which corresponds to 8% of shipping emissions in Sweden. 20% of the diesel consumed today is biodiesel, HVO, which is considered carbon neutral.

There are plans for a number of hydrogen stations in the Archipelago. The hydrogen gas is made with water and electricity that can be produced locally with wind and solar power.

The archipelago fleet today uses HVO to 20%. The disadvantages are continued environmental impact, high cost and risk of shortage arises. Today, Sweden uses 35% of the world's supply of HVO but accounts for only 3% of Europe's operating volume and in the event of shortage, one must return to fossil diesel. HVO should therefore only be used where it is needed most, and this applies to the historic vessels and peak-shaving vessels.
Therefore, we should as quickly as possible go over to electricity - and hydrogen propulsion. 

Yes, if you do nothing more. Our suggestion is to have extra vessels for demand peaks and to have booking apps to ensure that you get onboard at a certain departure.

In Stockholm’s public transport, the seaborne traffic stands for 6 % of the energy consumption and as much as 50 % of the GHG emissions.