Norway Backs Green Newbuild Scheme

A grant of NOK97m ($9.15m) has been authorised through the state agency ENOVA SF to realise the first 5,000dwt vessel powered by hydrogen fuel cells in combination with compressed hydrogen. Incorporating the EcoFlex 5k CoastBulker design developed by the Oslo consultancy Naval Dynamics, the singledecker type has been conceived to give a 1,000 nautical-mile operating range, without emitting CO₂, NOx or SOx.

Clearance for ENOVA SF’s financial sponsorship constitutes an important milestone in achieving Thor Dahl Bulk’s strategy, through the entity known as Thor Dahl PURE Carrier, of owning a fleet of emission-free cargo ships as profitable replacements for current, fossil-fuelled vessels in both established and new market areas.

Within the short-sea bulk segment in Norway and Europe, the CoastBulker class vessel is of a size in which zero-emission technology is considered technically and commercially feasible. Moreover, the age profile of the existing population of short-sea traders suggests a substantial, international re-tonnaging demand in the medium-term, amounting to potentially several hundred ships. The design features a forward bridge and superstructure, full-width hatchway and travelling gantry-mounted crane, and aft containerised fuel storage.

Thor Dahl is unequivocal as to the benefits of hydrogen for practitioners and customers alike, staying that “Hydrogen represents an established and proven technology from aerospace and land transport. In gaseous form, hydrogen is energy-efficient to handle and well-suited for regional distances that characterise short-sea shipping in Norway and Europe.”

Thor Dahl Shipmanagement, based in Sandefjord, currently runs a fleet of seven containerships and bulkers, of which three are part-owned by Thor Dahl Shipping.

The qualification for newbuild backing for the Thor Dahl PURE Carrier scheme forms one strand of a raft of national maritime project support announced by ENOVA SF in the field of hydrogen- and ammonia-fuelled vessels.

A subvention of NOK148.6m ($14m) has been approved for two hydrogen fuel cell-powered, 500TEU short-sea container ships planned by Ocean Infinity, with charter commitments by Samskip. Moreover, NOK205.6m ($19.4m) has been allocated to a four-ship newbuild programme drawn up by Faerder Tankers Norway. Faerder’s planned investments cover two tankers and two car carriers, all of which are to be specified with main machinery capable of operation on ammonia, promising CO₂ emission-free deep-sea trading.

ENOVA, part of the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Energy, has also recently agreed appropriations for five hydrogen production projects intended to expedite the energy shift in the maritime sector.