Gotlandsbolaget invests in biogas production and secures volumes for the Gotland traffic
Gotlandsbolaget aims to offer climate-neutral crossings between Gotland and the mainland by 2045 at the latest. Achieving this goal requires large volumes of fossil-free fuels. Through an investment in the construction of a biogas plant and agreements for the purchase and delivery of biogas, important steps are now being taken to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from Gotland traffic.
Gotlandsbolaget, together with Andion CH4 Renewables ("Andion") and Equitix New Generation Fund ("Equitix"), is investing in a plant outside Eskilstuna for the production of high-quality liquefied biogas (LBG). The plant is scheduled to begin production at the end of 2026. The company has also agreed that Destination Gotland will purchase the majority of the biogas produced at the plant over a 10-year period.
“We are pleased to take further steps toward our goal of offering climate-neutral crossings between Gotland and the mainland by 2045. The availability of fossil-free fuels is currently far too limited for the transition needed in both shipping and other modes of transport. Through this agreement, we are contributing to increased production of high-quality biogas and securing up to 10 percent of the needs for the Gotland traffic,” says Håkan Johansson, CEO of Gotlandsbolaget.
The plant is being built by Eskilstuna Biogas AB ("EBAB") and will be able to produce approximately 5,400 tons of high-quality LBG per year. All permits are in place, and the construction process has begun. Agreements with substrate suppliers have been secured, and biogas production is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2026.
The high-quality biogas will lead to significant reductions in the climate footprint of Destination Gotland’s ships. The agreed volume represents approximately 8-10 percent of Destination Gotland’s annual fuel needs, and over a ten-year period, carbon dioxide emissions are estimated to decrease by about 100,000 tons compared to fossil gas (LNG) as fuel.
“Fuel accounts for the largest operating cost for Destination Gotland but also for our greatest climate impact, and we are now securing a substantial volume of high-quality biogas over a ten-year period. The agreement is part of the preparatory work for the regulations now coming into force, such as Fuel EU Maritime,” says Marcus Risberg, CEO of Destination Gotland.
The two vessels currently running on fossil gas (LNG), with a blend of biogas (LBG), can be operated completely fossil-free. At the same time, work continues on the next generation of ships within Gotlandsbolaget with the Horizon series, which will be able to run on hydrogen.
“In the work with the next generation of ships, we see major challenges with fuel availability. Our long-term goal is to operate traffic with hydrogen and other fossil-free fuels, but the volumes required are unfortunately far in the future. Therefore, it is important that we now invest in and secure other fossil-free fuels,” concludes Håkan Johansson, CEO of Gotlandsbolaget.