The 85-meter, 4,000-deadweight-ton vessels, designed by Naval Dynamics, will feature onboard hydrogen solutions provided by German technology firm e-Cap Marine. Described as the world’s first hydrogen-powered bulk carriers, they are scheduled for delivery in 2027, effectively renewing and doubling Møre Sjø’s fleet. The company secured hydrogen bunker supplies from GreenH, which will produce fuel at facilities in Hammerfest, Bodø, Sandnessjøen, Kristiansund, Rogaland, and Slagetangen in Tønsberg municipality.
Møre Sjø’s initiative has received financial support from ENOVA, the NOx Fund, and NRP, along with technical assistance from the Green Shipping Program. While the total cost of the ships was not disclosed, the project reflects a strategic shift toward sustainable fuel alternatives in response to rising environmental demands.
Torstein Holsvik, Technical Director at Møre Sjø, stated: “We have developed this project over several years, received good support and found a concept for the new ships that we have great faith in. Existing bulk carriers are outdated, and we therefore had to think completely new. After a careful assessment of technology maturity, cost-effectiveness and secure access to fuel, the choice fell on hydrogen ships with hydrogen fuel cells.”
Holsvik added: “When the ships are completed in early 2027, we expect that the price of hydrogen and the price of marine gas oil, which could have been an alternative, will be in line. All fossil fuels will gradually be subject to increased CO2 taxes, hydrogen will not. Low electricity prices for hydrogen production in the North, combined with support from Enova and the NOx Fund, have weighed heavily in the choice of fuel. We do not criticize others who think differently, but after thorough preparation, we chose compressed hydrogen.”
This project positions Møre Sjø as a leader in adopting hydrogen as a marine fuel, aligning with global efforts to reduce emissions in the shipping industry. The collaboration with GreenH ensures a reliable supply of hydrogen, supporting the operational success of these innovative vessels.
