Zero emissions at sea - Electricity or biofuels?

Is zero emissions from recreational and commercial boats a utopia? That's what debate leader Peder Tellefsdal wanted to know at one of several debates on the future of boating at this year's Arendal Week.

"There is no doubt that biofuels are the fastest way to reduce emissions from the recreational marine fleet", argued Thomas Nicolai Bjønness from Norboat. He finds support in the European ICOMIA report which concludes that biofuel is the easiest way to quickly achieve an emission reduction for the recreational boat fleet. Boats that have many operating hours per year can go electric.

"We have to start with the professional vessels. They can go electric," confirmed Camilla Neumann-Berg from Plug. "Investing in infrastructure for all possible solutions is a waste of resources. We have to be careful not to introduce a sleeping pillow. We know that electrification technology works," said Neumann-Berg.

Is biofuel a short-term solution?

Einar Gotaas from Drivkraft Norge highlighted that biofuels have contributed most to emission reductions in the transport sector so far. There will be a lot of liquid fuel in boats for many years to come, and in internal combustion engines, biofuel is currently the only option to reduce emissions.

Thomas Nicolai Bjønness from Norboat expressed concerns about the safety of using ethanol-containing gasoline, known as E10, in recreational boats. From a safety perspective, Norboat does not recommend filling the tank with E10 gasoline. Rather, they advise boaters to fill up with 98-octane. "The vast majority of outboard engines can handle E10, and if you drive a lot, there is no problem. But E10 cannot be stored for long in the tank, and if you run a little, it can cause problems," says Bjønness.

Mr. Gotaas pointed out that diesel engines can switch to advanced biofuels today. HV100 diesel is a 100% pure biofuel. "Is biofuel sustainable?", asked moderator Peder Tellefsdal. "All biofuels sold in Norway are sustainable," clarified Gotaas. Camilla Neumann-Berg is not so sure. "Bellona calls biofuels a climate scam. In Norway we have the possibility to electrify ships with renewable energy, so why should we use imported biofuel from countries like the US, when we have available and clean energy here at home?"

Electric future

Camilla Neumann-Berg presented the company's investment in charging infrastructure for electric boats. "We believe that what can be electrified in Norway will be electrified," she said. Plug, which is part of Eviny, sees parallels with the electric car revolution and believes that political will and facilitation are the keys to success.

Neumann-Berg also brought to Arendal Week the news that Enova is providing support for 24 battery-electric vessels to be built by Moen Marin and Pascal Technologies. Plug has received support to build eight associated charging facilities. This can have positive ripple effects, including for recreational boats.

Local authorities don't have to wait for central government. There is much they can do themselves. One example is to provide 400 volts at the quayside so that charging operators can efficiently build out fast charging infrastructure.

Need for regulation and incentives

Both regulations and incentives are needed to promote a green transition in the boating industry. Thomas Nicolai Bjønness believes in making it more favorable for boaters to choose the green options rather than imposing restrictions. He also emphasized the importance of international cooperation: "At Norboat we think in scale. We believe that the most important thing politicians can do is to continue to be a driving force for a green transition internationally, so that everyone moves in the same direction."

The Norwegian Maritime Directorate has proposed to phase in zero emission requirements for service vessels for the aquaculture industry as early as 2025, but no one knows if or when the requirements will apply.

"We need requirements, simplification and predictability," said Neumann-Berg, emphasizing predictability.

The way forward

The debate showed that there is no single solution for a green transition in the boating industry. Biofuels, electrification and other technologies such as hydrogen all have important roles to play, according to Bjønness at Norboat. "Further research, development and, not least, political will are needed to drive the transition forward.

Camilla Neumann-Berg concluded by emphasizing the importance of thinking long-term: "We must dare to invest. We have done it by road, we have done it by ferry, and I don't see why we can't do it by boat."