Volkswagen puts in service first overseas low-emission car freighter

For the first time, vehicles from Europe will be transported from Europe to North and Central America on a car freighter powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

The LNG drive reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 25%, nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 30%, soot particles by up to 60% and sulphur oxide emissions by up to 100%.

"We are proud to put the world's first LNG vehicle transporter of this size into service. This is an important part of our decarbonisation strategy," emphasises Thomas Zernechel, Head of Volkswagen Group Logistics. By 2025, in accordance with the environmental mission statement 'goTOzero', Volkswagen aims to reduce its total net CO₂ emissions by 30% and be get CO₂-neutral in 2050. All transports - by water, road and rail - must be climate-friendly to achieve this.

The new LNG-powered ship 200-metres long and 38-metres wide, has 13 car decks and a capacity of 7,500 Car Equivalent Units, which corresponds to around 4,800 vehicles in the Volkswagen Group model mix from passenger cars to light commercial vehicles. The ship is powered by a 16,900bhp dual-fuel marine engine with direct injection and exhaust gas after-treatment from MAN Energy Solutions.