On 13 July 2017 the ferry operated by Dutch shipping firm TESO, Texelstroom, began running on CNG (compressed natural gas), which is a first in Europe.
Every year, TESO carries two million passengers and approximately 600,000 vehicles from Den Helder to the island of Texel.
By swithing to CNG, Texelstroom is more sustainable, cleaner, and will reduce fuel consumption.
Cees de Waal, director at TESO: “The first week on CNG is a milestone for us. By using CNG we will reduce harmful emissions and are taking an important step to make shipping more sustainable.“
This sustainable and innovative ferry is the result of a special collaboration between TESO and a number of partners including clean fuel supplier PitPoint.
The project had a dual goal: to make the ship as sustainable, clean and economical as possible, whilst also guaranteeing a safe and reliable connection to the mainland.
The ferry has also been technically equipped to run on Biomethane, which is even more sustainable and cleaner than CNG.
In addition to TESO and PitPoint, this unique project was made possible by Lloyd’s Register, C-Job, LaNaval, Compressor System Holland, and Umoe.
TESO’s selection of a cleaner fuel was partly based on the analysis of practical data coming from PitPoint’s refueling stations for CNG and LNG (liquefied natural gas).
The positive impact on the environmental performance demonstrated by this study was an important reason for TESO to consider both fuels more carefully. The operational reliability, combined with the fuel supply logistics and shipping pattern ultimately pointed in favor of CNG.
While on the canals of Amsterdam there are a number of sightseeing tour boats that already run on natural gas, a project of this size and scale – with a ship that can transport 340 cars and 1.750 passengers – is a first in Europe.
PitPoint took on the entire engineering, building, and exploitation of the Biomethane/CNG bunkerstation that will be used to refuel the Texelstroom.
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About TESO
Royal N.V. Texels Eigen Stoomboot Onderneming has been operating the ferry service between Den Helder and Texel since 1907. Most of the over 3,100 shareholders are Texel residents. TESO’s objective has not changed since the company was founded: to provide a quality, affordable ferry service between Texel and the mainland of the Netherlands. Any profits made are invested primarily in safety, quality and continuity, always focusing on the travelers’ interests. For more information: https://www.teso.nl.
