SGV – a pioneer in passenger shipping for sustainable mobility

The Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV AG) has, for the first time, used solar fuel from Synhelion. The paddle steamer Gallia was symbolically refuelled with solar diesel from Synhelion’s industrial plant DAWN – a milestone for more sustainable mobility on water.

The over 110-year-old steamer was ceremonially refuelled with the first barrel of solar diesel, produced at Synhelion’s DAWN plant in Jülich, Germany. Operational since summer 2024, the facility manufactures sustainable synthetic fuels on an industrial scale. Synhelion’s solar fuel is fully compatible with conventional combustion engines. With this initiative, SGV becomes the first navigation company in the world to utilise Synhelion’s solar fuel. The symbolic first fuelling took place during the launch of SGV’s new premium offering, Legends of Lake Lucerne.

Renewable fuels as a key to sustainable mobility
By fuelling the Gallia, Synhelion demonstrates that its solar fuels are ready for real-world application. They enable near carbon-neutral mobility – without requiring modifications to existing engines or infrastructure.

Sustainability is a key priority
SGV has already signed a five-year purchase agreement with Synhelion and plans to use solar fuel on a regular basis in the future. As a pioneering customer, SGV plays a vital role in scaling Synhelion’s technology. “Sustainability is a key priority for us. Synhelion’s solar fuel provides a tangible solution for reducing CO₂ emissions,” says Stefan Schulthess, CEO of SGV.

Synhelion – turning sunlight into fuel
Synhelion produces renewable solar fuels with the aim of defossilising the transport sector. The cleantech company has developed a scalable technology that uses solar energy to manufacture synthetic fuels. These solar fuels are almost CO₂-neutral and fully compatible with today’s global fuel infrastructure and standard engines. Since launching its industrial plant DAWN in 2024, Synhelion has been producing solar kerosene, solar diesel and solar petrol, supplying them to a growing customer base. Backed by international partners from various industries and transport sectors, Synhelion is working to replace fossil fuels with renewable solar alternatives.

Find out more at synhelion.com