Gothenburg RoRo Terminal Hits One Million Operating Hours on HVO Alternative Fuel
The Gothenburg RoRo Terminal has officially crossed a major milestone in its decarbonization journey, recording over one million operating hours using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) across its active machine fleet. This achievement marks a significant breakthrough for eco-friendly maritime supply chains and showcases the viability of fossil-free alternatives in high-demand, heavy-duty industrial settings.
By scaling up the use of renewable diesel, the terminal is proving that port logistics can achieve drastic emissions cuts without relying solely on full-scale fleet replacements.
A Strategic Partnership for Cleaner Port Operations
The milestone is the result of a decadelong, close collaboration with Volvo Penta, a global leader in power solutions. Since 2014, the Gothenburg RoRo Terminal—located right on the doorstep of Volvo Penta’s headquarters—has served as a crucial, real-world testing ground for cutting-edge engine tech and alternative fuels.
“Our partnership with Volvo Penta has continued since 2014,” explained Göran Dittmer, Technical Manager at the terminal. “We provide the machines and working environment, while Volvo Penta uses the data to test and improve future solutions.”
This testing framework allows both teams to study equipment performance under relentless daily port conditions. Beyond HVO baseline tracking, the ongoing partnership supports:
- Electric Drivelines: Collecting live engine data to accelerate commercial EV development.
- Hydrogen Solutions: Testing hydrogen injectors and alternative fuel combustion models.
- Component Validation: Monitoring structural fatigue, turbo efficiency, and high-stress durability.
Achieving Massive Emissions Reductions with HVO
The terminal’s transition to HVO represents a blueprint for companies navigating strict international environmental targets. Rather than abandoning its functional asset base, Gothenburg began its phase-in strategy in 2018 using a 40% HVO blend.
By 2019, the facility converted its entire logistics fleet to 100% HVO renewable diesel—seamlessly integrating it into legacy machinery dating back to 1999.
According to terminal data, switching to HVO dropped greenhouse gas emissions per unit to around one-third of baseline levels.
“Reducing $CO_2$ per unit allows us to increase production while staying within environmental limits,” said Dittmer. This drop shows the strength of drop-in biofuels for maritime hubs that require immediate sustainability returns. For the latest analysis on green logistics and sustainable port infrastructure, visit the Sustainable Construction and Climate Neutrality segments on Modern Construction News.
Future-Proofing Port Machinery Against Evolving Threats
Marine environments expose heavy machinery to harsh conditions, including salt air, high moisture, and heavy payloads. To extend asset lifespans, the terminal is actively looking into engine repowering and equipment retrofitting. These options allow them to keep pace with tightening regulations while keeping capital expenses low.
As global rules become stricter, the terminal plans to use the insights from its first million HVO hours to guide the transition toward zero-emission power, including heavy battery-electric setups and hydrogen fuel cells.
