First bioLNG bunkering for St1 and Nordion Energi
In Sweden, energi major St1 and its subsidiary St1 Biokraft have completed its first delivery of self-produced liquefied biomethane (bioLNG) for shipping, via Transmission System Operator (TSO) Nordion Energi AB's bunkering facility in the Port of Gothenburg. The bunkering was an important test of the facility, which together with Nordion Energi's future liquefaction facility will create new opportunities for biogas producers to reach the maritime market.
The bunkering took place in collaboration between St1, St1 Biokraft, the Port of Gothenburg, Nordion Energi, and the shipping company Terntank, and represents the first-of-its-kind bioLNG bunkering in the Port of Gothenburg for St1.
Important pilot test
The Tern Ocean bunkering operation at quay 519 in the Port of Gothenburg was an important pilot test for St1 and St1 Biokraft as suppliers of bioLNG to the maritime sector.
The operation also served as a pressure test of the collaboration required across all parts of the value chain, with Terntank, gas infrastructure owner Nordion Energi, and the producers all playing crucial roles.
Open the maritime market for RNG producers
Biogas is a renewable fuel that can replace fossil fuels in several different sectors.
As a leading Nordic biogas player with production of biomethane aka renewable natural gas (RNG) and bioLNG, St1 Biokraft has been an important partner in the liquefaction project.
St1 and St1 Biokraft have ambitions to become large-scale suppliers of bioLNG for the maritime sector, with several new production facilities planned across Sweden.
At the end of last year, Nordion Energi made an investment decision to build a biomethane liquefaction plant in the Port of Gothenburg with the aim of making it easier for RNG producers to liquefy RNG into bioLNG and reach the maritime market via the West Sweden gas network.
St1 Biokraft is the first player to sign an agreement to secure part of the new liquefaction plant’s capacity.
When the liquefaction plant is completed, we will have a good solution in place in the Port of Gothenburg. It is a strategic step towards our goal of shifting up and offering competitive liquid biomethane to shipping and thereby taking a leading position in this segment, said Ted Gustavsson, Head of Value Chain at St1 Biokraft.
To be built in 2026, it will be connected to the West Sweden gas grid. With the facility in place, a new opportunity will be created for RNG producers connected to the gas network to reach the maritime market.
Our goal is to be a driving force in converting the gas network to 100 percent renewable gas, and the biogas liquefaction plant in the Port of Gothenburg plays a central role in this. It will also help convert shipping, heavy transport, and industries that are further away from the gas network, said Carolina Wistén, Nordion Energi.
Leading bunkering hub for renewable fuels
For the Port of Gothenburg, the planned liquefaction plant is an important part of the goal to become a leading bunkering hub for renewable fuels in Northern Europe.
BioLNG will be an important part of achieving that goal, together with other renewable fuels such as methanol.
In order for the shipping transition to be accelerated, it is a prerequisite that there are players throughout the value chain who are pulling in the same direction and who can collaborate and translate ambitions into practice. We are happy to have all this in place at the Port of Gothenburg, said Therese Jällbrink, Head of Renewable Energy at the Port of Gothenburg.
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