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Customs patrol: New emission-free ship Emden” takes off!
The "Emden", a new emission-free customs patrol ship, is now increasing controls on cross-border goods traffic.
Customs patrol: New emission-free ship Emden” takes off!
The new “Emden” is making a lot of noise! The 55 meter long operational vessel recently entered service and will now replace the old ship of the same name, which has been in use since 1988. The former customs boat will be given a new name and will patrol the Baltic Sea in the future. The new Emden was built at the Peene shipyard in Wolgast, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and carries the “Blue Angel” environmental label, which makes it a real pioneer in environmental protection.
With a state-of-the-art liquefied petroleum gas (LNG) drive, the Emden significantly reduces emissions compared to conventional diesel drives. This technology is increasingly favored in shipping to comply with the strict environmental regulations introduced by the International Maritime Association in 2020. The plan is to reduce the sulfur content of ship fuels in certain zones to 0.1%, which makes LNG appear to be the ideal solution. Nevertheless, questions about the long-term environmental consequences and the life cycle consideration of this fuel have not been completely resolved, as NABU highlights in its reports.
Modernization of the customs boat fleet
State Secretary Björn Böhning described the introduction of the Emden as part of a comprehensive modernization program for the German customs boat fleet, which consists of a total of 28 boats and ships. The main tasks of this fleet include combating smuggling, collecting import duties, monitoring environmental protection at sea and assisting in maritime emergencies. The Emden plays a central role here.
Despite the switch to LNG, there are still many critics who point out the potential risks. While the gas has lower air pollutant emissions, it comes with its own challenges, particularly when it comes to so-called methane, which can escape during extraction and transport and has a climate impact 86 times greater than CO2. This means that the overall balance of LNG is not as clearly positive as is often assumed. NABU is therefore calling for alternative, climate- and environmentally friendly fuels such as hydrogen or methanol for sustainable shipping in the future.
The infrastructure and the future of shipping
Another obstacle to the widespread use of LNG is the patchy refueling infrastructure in Germany. While there are already a number of LNG propulsion ships operating in Norway, the first LNG bunkering station in Germany was only opened in Brunsbüttel in 2019. These infrastructure developments are necessary to sustainably transform shipping.
The new course that the Emden is now taking could be beneficial for the environment, but at the same time concerns about the long-term environmental impacts of using LNG must also be taken seriously. The debate about the best solutions for shipping remains exciting. While the use of LNG can be celebrated as a step in the right direction, the ultimate desire to completely replace fossil fuels should never be forgotten.