Sweden’s Green Shipping Breakthrough: Biomethane Bunkering Takes Off

A Pilot Project Paves the Way for Maritime Decarbonization

The Port of Gothenburg just marked a milestone in sustainable shipping: the first bunkering of Swedish-produced liquefied biomethane for the 2017-built tanker Tern Ocean, owned by Terntank. The operation, conducted at quay 519, signals a shift toward scalable green fuel solutions for the maritime sector. With energy giants St1, St1 Biokraft, and Nordion Energi supplying the fuel, the pilot tested a collaborative model across the biomethane value chain—from production to distribution.

“This isn’t just about fuel; it’s about building an ecosystem,” says Therese Jällbrink of the Port of Gothenburg. “Cross-industry cooperation is non-negotiable for a successful transition.”

Biomethane’s appeal for shipping is clear. It leverages existing LNG infrastructure, making adoption easier for vessels already equipped for liquefied gas. Demand is rising, with shipping companies under pressure to cut emissions. St1 and St1 Biokraft see this as their moment: they aim to become large-scale biomethane suppliers by the end of 2026, backed by new Swedish production facilities. Meanwhile, Nordion Energi will break ground on a liquefaction plant at the Port of Gothenburg in 2026, connecting to the West Sweden gas grid. This hub will let biomethane producers tap into the maritime market seamlessly.

The Infrastructure Race Heats Up

The Gothenburg project underscores Scandinavia’s push to lead in green maritime fuels. Mattias Ivarsson of St1 notes, “Biomethane is just the start. The infrastructure we’re building will support future fuels like hydrogen.” The port’s liquefaction facility, once operational, could position it as Europe’s go-to hub for liquefied biomethane (LBG). Ted Gustavsson of St1 Biokraft adds, “This plant isn’t incremental—it’s transformative. It’ll set the standard for LBG supply chains.”

“The liquefaction plant will make Gothenburg the Nordic leader in LBG for shipping,” Gustavsson asserts.

For now, the Tern Ocean pilot proves the model works. But scaling up requires policy support and investment. With the EU’s Fit for 55 package tightening emissions rules, the clock is ticking. The Port of Gothenburg’s bet on biomethane might just be the blueprint the industry needs—if others follow suit.