Pioneering Fossil-free Transport: MTAB and SMTM’s Groundbreaking Partnership

The Swedish National Maritime and Transport Museums (SMTM) have embarked on a groundbreaking journey towards sustainable transport, partnering with us under a new framework agreement effective from April 2024. This collaboration ensures that all transport needs of SMTM are met with 100% fossil-free solutions, setting a new standard in the logistics and museum sectors.

“We have been working with MTAB for many years, but our new framework agreement, which came into effect in April 2024, is a significant step forward. We required 100% fossil-free transport – a first for us and a pioneering move in our sector. This agreement is about showing that it is possible to operate sustainably.”

— Jan Naumburg, SustainabilityStrategist at SMTM

A shared vision for sustainability

SMTM, responsible for preserving and developing Sweden’s maritime and transport history, has long been a custodian of valuable and delicate artifacts. From moving boats, planes, naval cannons, and marine paintings to fragile photo collections on e.g. glass negatives and regular paper documents, the museum’s logistics requirements are diverse and demanding. Recognizing the importance of sustainability in their operations, SMTM conducted a procurement process to find a partner who shared their environmental values and could meet their stringent demands.

Jan Naumburg, SustainabilityStrategist at SMTM, emphasized the significance of this new agreement: “We have been working with MTAB for many years, but our new framework agreement, which came into effect in April 2024, is a significant step forward. We required 100% fossil-free transport – a first for us and a pioneering move in our sector. This agreement is about showing that it is possible to operate sustainably.”

Meeting high standards with innovative solutions

We have proven to be a reliable partner for SMTM by offering specialized logistics solutions tailored to the museum’s unique needs for nearly 20 years. The new framework agreement ensures all transport operations are fossil-free. Christian Fabricius, Quality Manager at MTAB Group, emphasized our commitment to environmental stewardship: “Our primary focus is on minimizing our environmental impact by optimizing our facilities and transport operations. The agreement with SMTM pushed us to transition to biogas, HVO100 (a synthetic renewable diesel fuel), and electric vehicles, aligning with our sustainability initiatives.” To ensure the success of the framework agreement, we meticulously track transport activities and fuel usage. Naumburg noted, “Following up on agreements is always challenging, but together with MTAB, we have developed a system to verify the use of fossil-free fuels, aligning with our commitment to sustainability across our operations.”

Leading the way to a sustainable future

The partnership between SMTM and us demonstrates the profound impact of aligning values and committing to sustainable practices. Christian Fabricius, Quality Manager at MTAB Group, reflected on the broader implications of this collaboration: “Our work with SMTM not only fulfills a critical logistical role but also sets a benchmark for sustainability in the transport sector. We are showing that it’s possible to meet stringent environmental standards without compromising service quality.”

As we continue to support SMTM in preserving and transporting invaluable cultural artifacts, our joint efforts serve as a beacon for other organizations. Jan Naumburg added, “This agreement is about more than just fulfilling transport needs; it’s about demonstrating that sustainable operations are achievable and necessary.” Together, SMTM and MTAB are paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future, inspiring others to follow their lead in embracing fossil-free transport solutions.