The Port of Las Palmas has taken a definitive step in its transformation towards sustainability with the first supply of AUS40 at the Santa Catalina dock. This service was inaugurated by the Le Champlain, an ultra-luxury expedition yacht from the French shipping company Ponant. This operation, led by GreenChem, marks a milestone in Canarian logistics by operationally introducing the reducing agent necessary for large marine engines to meet the world’s strictest emission standards.
Unlike conventional AdBlue used in cars (which contains 32.5% urea), AUS40 is the ‘enhanced’ version for the maritime sector. With a concentration of 40% pure urea in demineralized water, this solution is the invisible fuel that powers Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems. Its function is critical: to neutralize nitrogen oxides (NOx) before they exit the chimney, transforming them into harmless nitrogen and water vapor. For an expedition vessel navigating pristine ecosystems, having this supply in Las Palmas ensures its environmental footprint remains minimal.
The choice of Las Palmas for this operation is not coincidental. The Gran Canaria port positions itself as a key link in the GreenChem chain, which has already demonstrated its logistical capabilities in other strategic nodes such as Algeciras (where it recently supplied 35 cubic meters to the giant One Resilience). By offering AUS40 at the dock, Las Palmas transforms from merely a fuel and diesel service station into a center for technological solutions for shipping companies that, like Ponant, advocate for green innovation.
This move responds to unprecedented global regulatory pressure. With maritime transport responsible for up to 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is relentless. The supply to the Le Champlain demonstrates that the commitment to clean air is no longer just a pledge in cruise brochures but a technical reality that requires cutting-edge port infrastructure. Las Palmas once again proves that it knows how to read the market before the wind changes.
