Norway awarded grants to support development projects both
for a green ammonia tanker and two hydrogen ro-ro short sea vessels. Both
projects aim to launch their vessels by 2024 as part of the effort to
transition the shipping industry to zero-emission fuels.
“This year’s grants show that the Norwegian maritime
industry is really at the forefront of developing emission-free solutions with
great export potential. This is another great example of how we create new
green industry and growth in Norway,” says Minister of Trade and Industry
Iselin Nybø
The ammonia project being run by Grieg Edge and Wartsila
Norway was awarded $5.1 million by Pilot-E a Norwegian government funding
scheme to support innovation projects. The project plans to build the world’s
first green ammonia fueled tanker. Known as the MS Green Ammonia, the project
is the result of a Nordic industrial collaboration group founded from the Zeeds
(Zero Emissions Energy Distribution at Sea) initiative and the first project
undertaken by Grieg Edge which was established by Grieg Star as an innovation
hub.
“We regard the funding from Pilot-E as a valuable stamp of
approval for our plans,” said Nicolai Grieg, head of Grieg Edge. “Both Wärtsilä
and we feel confident that this project represents the future for the maritime
sector. To have the support from the Norwegian Research Council and Innovation
Norway is a significant step towards completion.”
The partners' goal is to have MS Green Ammonia distribute
green ammonia from the planned factory in Berlevåg to various locations and
end-users along the coast. The final design, size, and volume are all elements
that are dependent on the market and end-users. However, the project has
already established LOIs with several industrial partners. One prominent group
of potential customers they reported are the owners of ships using LNG as a
fuel today. Depending on the engine’s build, they may mix ammonia in their LNG
fuel – or easily retrofit to use only ammonia.
“We see a strong interest from owners of ferries, offshore
supply ships, fishing vessels, and from energy-producing companies. In total,
they require an amount of energy surpassing what we can achieve in this
project. The market is there without a doubt,” says Chief Business Development
Officer in Grieg Star Group, Vidar Lundberg.
The Norwegian government-owned organization Enova also
announced it was awarding $25.6 million to a project lead by Wilhelmsen to
construct the world’s first zero-emission hydrogen vessels. Wilhelmsen says
that the government funding would enable the further develop the technology and
additional infrastructure required in launching its project.
Known as the Topeka project, it calls for the construction
of two ro-ro vessels servicing the short sea segment. The vessels will, amongst
other tasks, move goods between offshore supply bases along the Norwegian
coast. Also, the Topeka vessels will transport hydrogen to different filling
stations where local ferries and other vessels as well as land transport will
have hydrogen as a ready-to-use fuel.
“The funds from Enova are a pivotal step in making Topeka
happen, and an important milestone for the maritime industry and for Norway as
a nation when considering hydrogen as a fuel”, says Senior Vice President,
Industrial Investments at Wilhelmsen, Jan Eyvin Wang.
The Topeka vessels will be the first of their kind to enter
commercial service. Providing a two-in-one solution, they will sail on a fixed
schedule carrying both coastwise customer cargo and containerized liquid
hydrogen (LH2) to the bunkering hubs. Norway’s west coast is the location for
bases serving the offshore industries, with base-to-base transport representing
a heavy-duty transport route eminently suited to LH2 says Wilhelmsen. The
bunkering hubs will in the future supply LH2-powered vessels including ferries
and seagoing tonnage.
Enova SF, which will be funding the project, is owned by the
Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment. It contributes to reduced
greenhouse gas emissions, development of energy and climate technology, and a
strengthened security of supply.