Retrofit project to help reduce emissions

The ‘Retrofit’ project will see Aker BP along with strategic partners Eidesvik, Solstad Offshore and Simon Møkster Shipping install batteries on three offshore supply vessels, firstly on platform supply vessel Viking Lady followed by Viking Prince in 2022. When this latter upgrade completes, 11 of Eidesvik’s 12 vessels currently in operation will be equipped with hybrid battery technology.

“Newbuildings are often presented as the only solution to making the shipping industry greener and more sustainable,” commented Eidesvik chief executive, Jan Fredrik Meling.

“However, at Eidesvik we’re equally focused on the great potential for significantly reducing emissions from the existing fleet,” he continued. “From a climate and sustainability perspective, recycling old ships and building new ones requires a lot of energy that could otherwise be saved, not to mention the huge investment needed for newbuildings.”

The Aker BP-owned supply vessels NS Orla and NS Frayja, which are managed by Eidesvik, are potential candidates for the green upgrades, in addition to others owned by Eidesvik. The company has a strong track record in alternative fuel, being the first offshore vessel owner to introduce LNG. It is also equipping Viking Energy with an ammonia fuel cell in 2024 as part of the European ShipFC project.