The Swedish shipping line will invest SEK36m (about €3.1m) to retrofit nine vessels with battery systems.

Climate Leap, an initiative of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency tasked with supporting emission reduction projects, will cover up to 40% of the investment (granted that the retrofitting will be done by 30 June 2024).

"This will be beneficial not only for the reduction of emissions but also for reducing noise and for the overall safety; the battery pack will be a backup for all systems on board in case of a blackout which will increase safety and help avoid any potential harm to the environment," the company added in a press release.

Coupled with drawing power from the shore while berthed, the battery retrofit will help Erik Thun lower its carbon footprint.

Photo: Erik Thun