Norwegian Ship Design lands hydrogen-fuelled bulker deal

Marine architect Norwegian Ship Design has a contract from Halten Bulk to develop two hydrogen-fuelled bulk vessels. Halten Bulk has received NOK 142 million (US$14.1 million) in grants from Norwegian state investment agency ENOVA to help finance construction of the ships.

The vessels will be about 100m long and have a cargo hold volume of about 8,000cu.m. They will operate along the Norwegian coast and in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

The two new vessels belong to the “Powered by Nature” concept developed in cooperation with the shipowner Egil Ulvan Rederi. The vessels will derive a large part of their energy through the two large rotor sails. They will be arranged with a hydrogen-fuelled engine as well as diesel generators. In a transitional period before hydrogen fuel supply is widespread in the trade area, it is expected that about 70% of the fuel required will be both hydrogen and diesel oil.

ENOVA recently granted subsidies for five hydrogen fuelling stations along the Norwegian Coast, and refuelling is planned at these stations.

Norwegian Ship Design now has design contracts for five hydrogen-fuelled vessels in total. Norwegian Ship Design chief executive officer Mr Gjermund Johannessen said the company’s ambition is to be a world leader in the rapid shift towards sustainable ship¬ping. ENOVA recently granted subsidies for five hydrogen fuelling stations along the Norwegian Coast, and refuelling is planned at these stations.