X-Press Feeders Group - Experts & Thought Leaders

X-Press Feeders, the world’s largest independent common carrier, announced the launch of its second green methanol-powered route, the Green Baltic X-PRESS (GBX). It is part of Europe’s first scheduled feeder network powered by green methanol. This expansion follows the successful launch of the Green Finland X-PRESS (GFX) in July and marks another significant milestone in the company’s commitment to sustainable shipping. The Green Baltic X-PRESS (GBX) will commence operations on 23 August, offering services between the following ports: Rotterdam > Antwerp-Bruges > Klaipeda > Riga > Rotterdam. X-Press Feeders’ leadership The introduction of the GBX route was made possible because X-Press Feeders has received a dual-fuel ship The introduction of the GBX route was made possible because X-Press Feeders has received a third dual-fuel ship, the Eco-Umande. This vessel joins Eco-Maestro and Eco-Levant as part of the company’s dual-fuel vessels capable of operating on green methanol, solidifying X-Press Feeders’ leadership in sustainable maritime shipping.  These new, highly fuel-efficient vessels incorporate the latest technology and advancements in ship design. Each vessel has a nominal capacity of 1,260 TEU. Green Baltic X-PRESS “Building on the momentum of our first green methanol-powered route, we are excited to launch the Green Baltic X-PRESS, expanding our feeder network powered by green methanol and providing more sustainable shipping options to our customers,” says Francis Goh, Chief Operating Officer of X-Press Feeders. “The addition of the Eco-Umande to our fleet underscores our commitment to innovation and decarbonisation in the maritime industry.” X-Press Feeders’ new feeder network is powered by green methanol, a sustainable marine fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 65 percent, in terms of main engine propulsion, when using green methanol instead of conventional fuels. Fuel EU Maritime regulations The green methanol that X-Press Feeders is using, is independently certified in Europe under ISCC Green methanol is a renewable energy source produced from the decomposition of organic matter, such as waste and residues. The green methanol that X-Press Feeders is using, is independently certified in Europe under ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification). The launch of the GBX route is particularly timely as the EU's emissions trading scheme (ETS) for maritime shipping came into effect on 1 January this year, encouraging shippers to adopt more sustainable practices. Additionally, the Fuel EU Maritime regulations are set to begin in January 2025 and will require a reduction in the greenhouse gas emission intensity of energy used on board ships. Looking ahead The Port of Rotterdam will be serving as the initial base for this network due to its infrastructure and capability to handle green methanol refuelling. The company has also signed a MOU with the ports of: Antwerp Bruges, Klaipeda in Lithuania, Riga in Latvia, Tallinn in Estonia, Helsinki and HaminaKotka in Finland to promote shipping powered by green methanol. These partnerships play a crucial role in supporting this innovative network and ensuring seamless, sustainable logistics across the region. X-Press Feeders ordered 14 dual-fuel vessels which it continues to take delivery of, so it plans to further expand its green methanol-powered network across Europe, providing more companies with the opportunity to achieve their sustainability goals through more sustainable shipping. “X-Press Feeders is dedicated to being at the forefront of sustainable shipping, and the launch of the Green Baltic X-PRESS represents another step in our journey toward decarbonising the maritime industry,” adds Goh.

X-Press Feeders has launched 2 services, Thailand Straits X-Press service (TSX) and Straits Ho Chi Minh X-Press service (SHX), adding more frequencies to our SEA region. Thailand Straits X-Press service (TSX) TSX is a fixed-day weekly service that directly connects Singapore and Laem Chabang, offering our customers more frequencies to Laem Chabang. The service rotation is: Singapore - Laem Chabang - Singapore Straits Ho Chi Minh X-Press service (SHX) SHX is our second service that connects Singapore and Ho Chi Minh. With a different berthing window, this fixed-day weekly service provides a weekend call at Cat Lai. The service rotation is: Singapore - Ho Chi Minh (Cat Lai) - Singapore Quality service, reliability, and efficiency X-Press Feeders' commitment to excellence drives them to innovate and improve services continuously. The launch of the Matadi Shuttle X-Press is a testament to dedication to providing the highest quality service, reliability, and efficiency to customers. As X-Press Feeders launches the Matadi Shuttle X-Press service, it remains committed to further expanding its network and enhancing service offerings. It is excited about the opportunities this new route brings and looks forward to continuing to serve customers with the excellence they have come to expect from X-Press Feeders.

In Rotterdam, the Eco Maestro was christened, the first dual-fuel container vessel to sail on methanol. Rotterdam will be the home port to all fourteen vessels of the Singapore X-Press Feeders. X-press Feeders aims to have these ‘green vessels’ sail mainly on routes in Europe, which means there will be a first network of feeders sailing on green methanol in Europe. The Taiwan container shipping company Evergreen Feeders has signed a contract to that end with the Singapore feeder shipping company. Sustainability of maritime shipping The network consists of two liner services for now. The Green Finland X-Press (GFX) sails from Rotterdam to Antwerp, Helsinki (Finland), Tallinn (Estonia) and HaminaKotka (Finland). The Green Baltic X-Press also sails to Klaipėda (Lithuania) and Riga (Latvia) as well as Rotterdam and Antwerp. The X-Press shipping company chose the port of Rotterdam as home base because the green methanol can be bunkered there. The company closed a deal for that last year with the Dutch fuel supplier OCI Global. Unibarge and TankMatch tankers will bunker the feeders. The Port of Rotterdam Authority is pleased with the development. It stimulates the increased sustainability of maritime shipping by, for example, supporting seals of quality such as Green Award and Environmental Ship Index and making marine fuels in particular more sustainable.