Preliminary study of barriers of green business models in the maritime transport sector
Author
Ørnstrup, Niels Holm
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2012
Submitted on
2012-09-06
Pages
43
Abstract
Den økonomiske recession har presset både virksomheder og offentlige budgetter, samtidig med at kunder og samfund forventer tydelig miljøindsats. Transportsektoren bruger store mængder olie, og små danske øfærger er traditionelt bygget i stål og har et højt brændstofforbrug. Det gør miljøhensyn til både et ansvar og en konkurrencefaktor, og kalder på løsninger, der kombinerer nye ideer med konkret handling. Specialet undersøger, om letvægtsfærger i kompositmaterialer kan erstatte ældre stålfærger på en måde, der både er økonomisk og miljømæssigt forsvarlig. Udfordringen er de høje startomkostninger. Derfor analyserer specialet, hvordan “grønne forretningsmodeller” kan finansiere skiftet, selv om kompositfærger er dyrere at købe, men billigere at drive. Analysen sammenligner totaløkonomien (Total Cost of Ownership, dvs. indkøb, drift, vedligehold og brændstof) for en konventionel stålfærge og en ECO øfærge i komposit under forskellige finansieringsmodeller. Tre grønne forretningsmodeller belyses: - Energispareafgift/energy-saving tax: skattemæssige incitamenter knyttet til dokumenterede energibesparelser. - Offentligt-privat partnerskab (OPP/PPP): offentlige og private deler investeringer, risici og gevinster. - ESCO-model (Energy Service Company): en energitjenestevirksomhed finansierer effektivitetsforbedringer og tilbagebetales gennem garanterede besparelser. Som case diskuteres Odder Kommunes mulighed for at optage lån på vegne af private operatører mod garanti for energireduktion. Specialet konkluderer, at kommunen kan låne til energibesparende formål. Indførelsen af grønne forretningsmodeller i den maritime transport kan dermed sænke investeringsbarrierer for letvægtsfærger med lavt brændstofforbrug. Det kan reducere drivhusgasudledninger og samtidig styrke kommunernes økonomi over færgernes levetid.
The economic recession has strained both businesses and public budgets, while customers and society increasingly expect visible environmental action. The transport sector consumes large amounts of oil, and small Danish island ferries are traditionally built in steel with high fuel use. This makes environmental performance both a responsibility and a competitive factor, calling for solutions that combine fresh thinking with concrete action. This thesis examines whether lightweight ferries made from composite materials can replace older steel ferries in a way that is both financially and environmentally sound. The main challenge is the high upfront investment. To address this, the thesis analyzes how “green business models” can finance the transition, even though composite ferries cost more to purchase but less to operate. It compares the total cost of ownership (TCO—purchase, operation, maintenance, and fuel) for a conventional steel ferry and an ECO island ferry when financed under different models. Three green business models are assessed: - Energy-saving tax: tax incentives linked to documented energy savings. - Public–private partnership (PPP): public and private actors share investments, risks, and returns. - ESCO model (Energy Service Company): an energy service firm funds efficiency upgrades and is repaid through guaranteed savings. A case discussion covers Odder Municipality’s option to obtain loans on behalf of private operators in exchange for an energy reduction guarantee. The thesis concludes that the municipality can borrow for energy-saving purposes. Overall, introducing green business models into maritime transport can lower investment barriers for lightweight, low-fuel ferries. This can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve municipal finances over a ferry’s lifetime.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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