Europe Watch

What’s going on across the pond?
Europe all:

Neste is supplying Cathay Group with its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the Group’s aviation operations across three major regions; Europe, the US, and Asia-Pacific. The agreement will support Cathay in its efforts to scale up its use of SAF.

Neste has already been delivering blended SAF for use on Cathay Pacific flights from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in Europe and Los Angeles International Airport in the US, as well as providing SAF to Singapore Changi Airport in the APAC region.

Its SAF is made from renewable waste and residue raw materials including used cooking oil and animal fat waste, and according to the company, reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% over the fuel’s lifecycle. Neste’s global production capability is 1.5 million tonnes per annum, due to grow to 2.2 million tonnes in 2027.

Germany:

Mercedes-Benz Trucks is testing the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) for its long-haul battery electric truck, the eActros 600, which currently has a range of 500km without intermediate charging.

Company engineers are carrying out a test route of 2,400km beginning in Germany, through to the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and finally to Sweden. The starting point is at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth am Rhein and the destination is Linköping in southern Sweden.

Flexible charging using MCS charges battery electric trucks quicker and more efficiently, but there are only a few public charging locations available in Europe currently. As part of the test route, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will aim to ensure compatibility between its vehicle and the charging stations from different manufacturers as well as gain insights into real-world conditions.

Spain:

Port authorities in Valencia in Spain and Santos in Panama have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a green maritime corridor, promoting the decarbonisation of maritime transport.

The agreement was reached during the Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors and Hubs Regional Workshop. Santos is South America’s leading port for Valencia in import and export traffic, and the creation of the green shipping corridor will strengthen both ports.

The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration including cooperation with shipping companies, shippers, energy suppliers and research centres, promoting the adoption of sustainable fuels including liquefied natural gas, biofuels, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen and carbon capture and reuse technologies.