Greenland shipping firm Royal Arctic Line to end heavy fuel oil use

Responding to news published in early May, in Sermitsiaq on how the Greenland government-owned Royal Arctic Line shipping company will move away from heavy fuel oil (HFO) use, ahead of an International Maritime Organization ban taking full effect in 2029, the Clean Arctic Alliance welcomed the move, with Lead Advisor Dr Sian Prior saying: “By choosing to use cleaner fuels and getting rid of heavy fuel oil ahead of schedule, Royal Arctic Line isn’t just making good business sense, it is ensuring that it can never spill heavy fuel oil in the Arctic, and is also cutting black carbon emissions, a super pollutant that has disproportionate impact on the Arctic and contributes to the melting of sea ice and glaciers”, said Prior.

“This is hugely positive, and I was very pleased when I heard the news. This is a green transition at the highest level. Royal Arctic Line had the opportunity to pollute the sea until 2029, but is now choosing to take the environment and climate seriously and keep the sea clean”, said Kåre Press-Kristensen, senior advisor at Green Global Future - a Clean Arctic Alliance member, quoted in the Sermitsiaq article.