Tesla cars will arrive at Norway using an LNG-powered ferry

Shipping company Nor Lines has made an agreement with Tesla Motors to ship its cars using a natural

gas powered ferry. Shipping the cars by sea will significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions compared

to using traditional diesel powered transporters. The first cargo of 79 Tesla Model S sedans arrived on

the west coast of Norway on March 29.

Nor Lines has been negotiating with Tesla for some time. The fact that its ships use LNG instead of heavy

bunker oil seems to have been the factor that won Tesla over. “I don’t think we would have crossed the

finish line as easily if the ships were run on heavy oil,” Nor Lines representative Anders Sandvik told

Norwegian newspaper Sysla Gronn.

This is a first for Nor Lines because the voyage will be followed up with a full complement of cargo

headed south on the return voyage. “There was one time when the ship sailed home empty,” Sandvik

said. “But we now have a delivery of 79 cars combined with regular line traffic. With all the other goods

we have on board, that results in good utilization of vessels and line structure.”

The shipping company is hoping Tesla will ship 40 to 50 cars a week from Bremerhaven, Germany

directly to Norway. That would eliminate hundreds of truck shipments every year. Sandvik praises Tesla

for being willing to consider using Nor Lines to ship its cars. “I think it is wonderful that Tesla dares to be

a little different than the traditional commodity owner. They really take the environment seriously and

actively seek to minimize their carbon footprint. I miss such vigor in other industries today,” Sandvik

added.

NGS INDIA