Höegh Autoliners, Varo Energy partner to accelerate sustainable shipping

Varo Energy and Höegh Autoliners, a leading global provider of ocean-transportation solutions, announced Dec. 20 a strategic partnership aimed at advancing the decarbonization of maritime sectors.

The collaboration focuses on supplying 100 percent advanced biofuels for deep-sea transportation from Europe, underpinning both companies’ voluntary commitments to superior sustainability standards.

This initiative showcases Höegh Autoliners as a frontrunner in the industry, paving the way for greener and more environmentally responsible shipping.

The new partnership is aligned with the strategies of both companies.

Höegh Autoliners is dedicated to offering ocean-transportation solutions with a focus on reducing environmental impact and supporting the decarbonization of its customers' supply chains.

Varo’s mission is to be the partner of choice for customers in the energy transition by providing them with the low-carbon energy solutions they need in order to decarbonize.

The companies bring together the capabilities that enable to reduce the greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions associated with the transport and distribution of goods.

“Höegh Autoliners is not just a customer but a strategic partner,” said Dev Sanyal, CEO of Varo Energy. “I am delighted that Varo will be collaborating with Höegh to forge innovative solutions, share insights, and drive sustainable progress, contributing to the ambitions set by the International Maritime Organization to reduce the carbon intensity of emissions from shipping by at least 40 percent by 2030, and 70 percent by 2050, compared with 2008 levels. Together, we aim to help decarbonize deep-sea shipping, leveraging the potential of biofuels and ensuring a more sustainable future for our customers.”

Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners, added, “This marks a significant step forward in our commitment to becoming a leader in carbon-neutral deep-sea shipping and in our strategy to reduce our environmental footprint and combat climate change. We are pleased to provide our customers with greener deep-sea transportation solutions as a step toward more environmentally responsible shipping.” 

Varo said it is playing a leading role in biofuels in Europe.

In line with its “One Varo Transformation” strategy, its biofuels business is focused on reducing the use of food and feed as feedstocks and building assets to manufacture advanced biofuels derived from waste and advanced feedstocks, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel.

Höegh Autoliners shares Varo’s commitment to sustainability and the reduction of carbon emissions in the maritime industry.

The company has been actively working toward achieving its vision of a sustainable future for deep-sea shipping.

Höegh Autoliners is dedicated to offering ocean transportation solutions with a focus on reducing environmental impact and supporting the decarbonization of its customers’ supply chains. 

In 2021, Höegh Autoliners achieved a significant milestone by completing its first carbon-neutral voyage when Höegh Trigger ran on advanced biofuels, adhering to the highest sustainability standards on its journey from Europe to South Africa.

In 2022, the company supplied 3,858 metric tons of biofuel to two prominent automobile manufacturers.

In 2023, its commitment to sustainability continued by supplying 10,377 metric tons of biofuel to the same automobile manufacturers, with several other projects in the pipeline expected to further increase the biofuel supply in 2024.

BMW Group is among the OEMs already choosing to ship cargo using advanced biofuels.

The contract between BMW and Höegh Autoliners resulted in emission reductions of 4,466 metric tons of CO2 equivalent in 2022.

Höegh Autoliners has seen an increasing number of customers opting for biofuels, emphasizing the industry’s commitment to sustainability and the need to have trusted partners with long-term solutions to meet their changing needs.