Anyone unfamiliar with the issue might not immediately realise why the environment might be grateful for a 33 metre long truck weighing 90 tonnes and why it’s called an Eco-truck. However, Speed’s Eco-truck lives up to its Eco name. Green clients are delighted to see their consignments shipped this way.
A trial of Eco trucks aimed at cutting carbon emissions in container transport was launched under an exception permit from the Finnish Transport Safety Agency in November 2013. This is a five-year project whose aim is to produce accurate information on fuel consumption and the potential for the vehicles to use biofuel. The results look promising. Emissions of large capacity combinations per tonne transported are clearly lower than other transport. There is a sign on the back of the truck that says “Long vehicle”. It may also read “Green transport”
More at a time
The sections of road on which the Eco-truck is permitted to travel are clearly defined. One of the routes for which a permit has been granted runs between Vuosaari (port of Helsinki) and Vierumäki. When Greencarrier contacts Speed to transport two 40’ containers from Versowood’s sawmill in Vierumäki to port of Helsinki, there are two options. Two trucks leave on the journey, between them consuming 80 l fuel per 100 km. If an Eco-truck is used it can take both 40’ containers at once and consume 48 l fuel per 100 km. Using an Eco-truck, containers can be transported with a 40% cut in greenhouse gases.
“When driving an Eco-truck combination, consumption is approximately 18% larger than with a semi-trailer. However, it can transport twice the amount of goods. Efficiency is markedly improved compared with the normal combination. There has also been a significant drop in the amount of empty driving,” says Speed Group Oy managing director Tuomo Vallas.
Speed started the trial with one Eco-truck and now the permit covers four vehicles.
Respecting the environment together
Greencarrier wants to take responsibility for the environment. Protecting the environment is a central and important part of the company’s operations. Together with the shipping line it represents, Evergreen Line, the company wants to find green, eco-friendly solutions for its customers, where the central issue is a way of working that is efficient, economic and respects the environment. These solutions are innovative in various ways and use the latest technology in the sector.
Evergreen Line was the first ocean shipping line to incorporate sustainable development and environmental technology in its operations. It has always invested in technology that guarantees energy efficiency and operations that protect the environment.
“We approached our partner company Speed as we were interested in the Eco-truck project, whose environmental impacts are immediate and concrete and will in the long term benefit everyone involved. If we gain a network of Eco-trucks in Finland, it will ensure the competitiveness of our customers and simultaneously clearly place a lower burden on the environment,” says Greencarrier Liner Agency Finland’s managing director Tuomas Timgren.
Container streams growing in the sawmill industry
At Versowood too the Eco-truck project is seen as an efficient means of transport for the future with a sustainable environmental impact.
“A larger and larger amount of international transport is by container, where longer transport journeys are raising the importance of green issues. Container transport is the most sustainable mode of transport from an environmental perspective and if we gain a wide-ranging network of Eco-trucks in Finland, it will help us to stay competitive in the international market,” says export director Matti Iso-Kuusela from the Versowood group.
Versowood’s customers, particularly in Europe and the Far East, are interested in wood as a material precisely because it is organic and this may open up new business opportunities in the future.
Finland’s wood industry is the cornerstone of the whole bioeconomy and Versowood’s operations are based purely on raw materials obtained from nature, using wood from the forest, respecting nature down to the last shaving. The natural world and sustainable development are part of Versowood’s day-to-day operations and the company wants to be involved in supporting green values.
Further information:
Greencarrier Liner Agency Finland Oy, managing director Tuomas Timgren phone +358 40 50 50 320 tuomas.timgren@greencarrier.fi
Versowood Group Oy, export director Matti Iso-Kuusela phone +358 50 3587160, matti.iso-kuusela@versowood.fi
Speed Oy, managing director Tuomo Vallas, phone +358 400 499 011, tuomo.vallas@speed.fi
Facts about Eco-trucks
– Length 33 metres
– Max weight 90 tonnes
– Axle weight, turning circle and height do not differ from a normal truck
– Drive on precisely defined routes under a permit from the Finnish Transport Safety Agency
– Can transport two 40’ shipping containers at the same time, reducing fuel consumption and emissions by an impressive 40 percent
Versowood Group Oy
Versowood Group is Finland’s largest privately owned wood processing group, an international organisation and an innovative pioneer in the industry. Every year we procure approximately 3.3 million cubic metres of Finnish spruce and pine which we process into approximately 1.3 million cubic metres of sawn timber. The timber is harvested from certified Finnish forests, respecting the environment and making full use of the raw material. In addition to the production of sawn timber and various further processed sawn timber products, we also produce glulam, wooden packaging products, telephone and electricity poles, wooden bridges, as well as pellets and other energy products.
Versowood’s turnover is approximately EUR 350 million and the company employs approximately 750 people in 10 units in Finland and 2 in Estonia.
Speed Oy
Speed Oy is a transport professional specialising in inland (road) transports of sea containers by truck. The privately owned company founded in 1992 offers, develops and produces high quality unit transport services for shipping lines, their representatives, major Finnish import and export companies and forwarding agents. The company employs 15 people and runs a total of about 60 vehicles in different parts of Finland. Transport in 2014 amounted to approximately 65 000 TEU with a turnover of EUR 12.5 million. The number of kilometres driven per year would circle the globe 188 times.
