DONSÖ, SWEDEN – In a landmark achievement for the maritime industry, Furetank, a pioneer in sustainable shipping, has announced a crucial step towards fossil-free operations. The company is now running its entire EU-based fleet on biogas, thanks to a large-scale agreement for mass-balanced biomethane. This move, a decade in the making, has been made possible by new EU legislation that has finally unlocked the potential for renewable fuels in shipping.
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The Game-Changing Legislation: FuelEU Maritime
For years, the widespread adoption of biogas in shipping faced a major bottleneck: limited access to large volumes of renewable gas. While Furetank and other forward-thinking companies had already invested in gas-propelled vessels, the supply chain was not mature enough to meet demand. The newly implemented FuelEU Maritime regulation, which came into force at the start of 2025, has provided the breakthrough.
The regulation introduces the concept of mass-balanced biogas, allowing certified biomethane to be injected into one end of the European gas grid and withdrawn at another. This effectively decouples the physical flow of the fuel from its certification — a system already well-established in green electricity markets. It removes previous logistical barriers and allows companies like Furetank to secure the large volumes of renewable fuel required for full-scale operations.
A Decade in the Making
Furetank’s transition to fossil-free operations has been a long-standing ambition. Viktoria Höglund, Sustainability Strategist at Furetank, reflected on the journey that began with the conversion of its first vessel to gas propulsion in 2015.
“This has been our goal for ten years. It’s remarkable that we’ve finally reached the point we’ve been working toward. At last, the right incentives are in place to make the business case possible,” said Höglund.
Furetank has now secured all the biogas needed to power its wholly and partly owned gas-propelled vessels operating within the EU throughout 2025. Most of the fleet has already been bunkered, and the transition is well underway.
Achieving Over 150% CO₂ Emission Reduction
The biogas used by Furetank is not only renewable but exceptionally climate-friendly. Biomethane, typically produced from organic waste like manure, provides a 150–200% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on a well-to-wake basis.
This high figure is possible because biomethane production prevents methane — a potent greenhouse gas — from being released during natural decomposition. Additionally, using this fuel replaces fossil fuels in vessel operations and produces organic fertilizer as a byproduct, reducing the need for synthetic alternatives.
A Decisive Partnership for a Fossil-Free Future
Furetank has now signed a landmark agreement that secures all the biogas required to operate its wholly and partly owned gas-propelled vessels trading in the EU for the entirety of 2025. This transition is already underway, with most vessels having been bunkered.
The partnership involves key players in the supply chain:
- Cargill: The agricultural giant produces the biogas from waste, such as manure.
- Titan Clean Fuels: The company liquefies the biogas and delivers the final product, mass-balanced liquefied biomethane (LBM), to Furetank’s fleet.
“What makes this agreement stand out is its scale. Furetank has secured significant volumes of LBM, becoming one of the first major players to enter this market. The FuelEU legislation is driving change in the shipping industry, and we are only seeing the beginning of LBM adoption as a compliance solution. This product requires no modifications to LNG-powered engines, making it one of the most accessible pathways to decarbonizing maritime operations,” said Willem Olde Kalter, responsible for Biogas and FuelEU at Cargill.
Lana Sissing, Client Manager at Titan Clean Fuels, added, “This partnership highlights how the entire supply chain can come together to make such a pioneering deal possible. The transparency of the product’s sourcing, from production to delivery, ensures that the entire process is verified and certified, making the transition to bio-LNG not only practical but scalable.”
Path to EU 2050 Targets: Closing the Gap to Complete Fossil Freedom
While the majority of Furetank’s fuel consumption is now covered by renewable biomethane, about 10% still traditionally relied on fossil-based fuels. This includes pilot fuel used to initiate combustion and power for cargo pumps.
Furetank is actively addressing these final areas:
- Pilot Fuel: The company is currently conducting its first trial replacing the pilot fuel with HVO100 renewable diesel, supplied by ScanOcean. This trial will allow the vessel Fure Valö to arrive at the Donsö Shipping Meet on September 1st in a completely fossil-free manner.
- Cargo Pumps: All of Furetank’s vessels are now equipped to operate cargo pumps via shore power connections, provided that ports offer the necessary infrastructure.
“This was our target when we converted our first vessel to gas propulsion in 2015,” Höglund said. “We have done everything currently possible to enter the fossil-free era. In this way, we demonstrate that the 2050 targets are within reach in the immediate future, through the incentives put into force.“
A Blueprint for the Future of Shipping
As the global maritime industry faces increasing pressure to decarbonize, Furetank’s success offers a compelling example of what’s possible through innovation, long-term vision, and regulatory alignment.
With its entire EU-based fleet now operating on renewable fuels, Furetank is not only reducing CO₂ emissions but also setting a precedent for large-scale renewable fuel adoption in shipping. The company’s efforts serve as a blueprint for others aiming to navigate the transition to a fossil-free future.
About Furetank
Furetank is a family-owned Swedish shipping company with deep roots in maritime history, specializing in the product and chemical tanker sector since the 1950s. Operating out of Donsö, the company has established itself as a leader in sustainable shipping, focusing on environmental responsibility, efficiency, and safety.
As a founding partner of the Gothia Tanker Alliance, Furetank leverages a collaborative platform to operate a modern and environmentally advanced fleet of product tankers. The company’s fleet primarily consists of its innovative Vinga series of dual-fuel tankers, which are designed to significantly reduce emissions and set new benchmarks for energy efficiency. Furetank’s firm commitment to its motto, “Not a giant but a leader,” is demonstrated by its proactive investments in green technologies and its leading role in the industry’s transition to a fossil-free future.
Source Furetank Rederi AB