Norway supports hydrogen shipping growth

The Bergen-based company said the award strengthens its position in the growing market for alternative fuels and expands its hydrogen powered vessels portfolio to six projects.

“This award is an important strategic milestone for LH2 Shipping,” said Ivan Østvik, CEO of LH2 Shipping.

“It strengthens our position as a developer of liquid hydrogen-based zero-emission vessel solutions and brings us yet another step closer to our ambition of enabling a substantial fleet of hydrogen-powered vessels that can help establish a complete maritime liquid hydrogen value chain.”

Hydrogen power

LH2 Shipping said the new vessels form part of its long-term strategy to move beyond demonstration concepts and establish commercially deployable hydrogen powered vessels for shortsea shipping.

The projects are also expected to contribute to industrial learning across ship design, fuel systems, vessel operations and bunkering infrastructure.

According to the company, the latest funding increases total Enova support for its six hydrogen-powered bulk carrier projects to more than NOK 800 million.

The investment reflects growing confidence in liquid hydrogen as one of the leading alternative fuels for maritime decarbonisation.

Enova’s Head of Hydrogen and Ammonia Initiatives, Elin Ulstad Stokland, said first movers adopting low and zero-emission technology are essential to reducing shipping emissions and accelerating development across the maritime sector.

Swedish fuel cell specialist PowerCell has been contracted to supply propulsion systems for the two new Norwegian-funded vessels.