In this study, the status of the maritime transport to and from four small islands located in Sweden is presented. People move between the islands and the mainland by ferry, crossing a short route of about 30 minutes in time and 10 km in distance.
The study aims to assess the energy and environmental impact of the ferry connecting service for the 4 islands of Ven, Visingso, Vinon, and Holmon, providing optional solutions that allow savings in energy and emissions on the route.
Reducing fossil fuel consumption and associated emissions in ferry operations can be achieved primarily through optimisation of the transport service. An analysis of the number of journeys offered compared to the total number of visitors to the islands indicates that vessels are currently operating with low occupancy rates (i.e., passenger load relative to vessel capacity).
To address this inefficiency, the frequency of ferry services should be aligned more closely with actual passenger demand and vessel capacity. Increasing occupancy rates would significantly improve operational efficiency and reduce emissions per passenger.
Vessel size is another critical factor. Deploying smaller-capacity vessels equipped with lower-power propulsion systems can reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, particularly when operating under the same service duration and frequency.