Estonian ferry operator AS Tallink Grupp has begun transitioning its shuttle vessels to bio-LNG, with the company targeting full replacement of fossil LNG within the next year.

The company's vessel MyStar has bunkered bio-LNG six times over recent months, with the fuel delivered by Tallinn-based supplier Elenger Marine.

"Our cooperation with Elenger has been smooth, and we are able to gradually increase the use of bio-LNG depending on its availability and price," said Paavo Nõgene, CEO of AS Tallink Grupp. "Our goal is to fully replace the LNG needs of both MyStar and Megastar with bio-LNG within the next year. This means that both our passenger and freight customers can reduce their own environmental impact by choosing to travel with Tallink."

MyStar and Megastar operate on the Tallinn-Helsinki route across the Baltic Sea. MyStar was delivered to Tallink in December 2022, while Megastar entered service in January 2017. Both vessels are dual-fuel ships capable of operating on LNG and marine distillates.

"Tallink is setting an example for other operators in the Baltic Sea," said Margus Kaasik, CEO of Elenger Group. "Tallink was one of the first to invest in new technology and began using LNG as early as 2017. Now they're taking the next step toward bio-LNG, and Elenger has supported them throughout this journey."

The Estonian firm stated that the transition to bio-LNG will not automatically lead to higher ticket prices for passengers or freight customers, adding that while bio-LNG is more expensive than fossil LNG, its CO₂ quota requirements are lower than those of fossil fuels.