Avatar Logistics and Sand & Grus AB Jehander are planning to construct an environmentally friendly e-barge for transporting sand and gravel to a cement factory located in the Swedish capital.

The newbuild will replace the 1970-built Jehander 1, used by Avatar Logistics for shipping macadam, gravel, and sand. The 75 by 8.5 m vessel can take up to 1,420t across six holds and carries around 300kt/year dry bulk from Sand & Grus AB Jehander's gravel pits in Mälaren (central Sweden).

The Dutch Shipyard Ferus Smit has already provided the first design. Avatar Logistics will now try to secure green co-financing for constructing the barge.

"It is gratifying that we have agreed to set up a new, eco-efficient barge that's fit for dry bulk transport within the Stockholm area. The electric barge will be technologically advanced and offer double the capacity, meaning that each shipment can replace 100 trucks. The barge's electric propulsion will also decrease Jehander's CO2 footprint by up to 95% relative to the trucking alternative. It will strongly contribute to a cleaner environment in Stockholm's city centre," Johan Lantz, CEO of Avatar Logistics, highlighted.

Mats Björkryd, Jehander's CEO, added, "We will continue taking advantage of sea transportation and also increase sea shipping within the entire Mälaren region. Transport by sea adds to sustainability and efficiency - ours and the society at large. A new electric barge is a natural step in our environmental strategy."

Photo: Shipyard Ferus Smit