Jun 13, 2025
Norway's Møre Sjø has placed an order for two bulk carriers powered by hydrogen.
Norwegian shipping company Møre Sjø is investing in hydrogen as an alternative marine fuel by ordering the construction of two emission-free hydrogen-powered bulk carriers at Gelibolu Shipyard in Türkiye. They have also arranged for hydrogen bunker supplies from GreenH.
The new ships will be 85 meters long and have a deadweight capacity of 4,000 tons, primarily operating in northern and northwestern Norway, transporting materials like sand, stone, and asphalt. One of the vessels has already been leased to Nordasfalt.
The ships are designed by marine engineering company Naval Dynamics, with onboard hydrogen solutions provided by German technology firm e-Cap Marine.
These vessels are claimed to be "the world’s first hydrogen-powered bulk carriers" and are scheduled for delivery in 2027, effectively renewing and doubling Møre Sjø’s fleet, although their total price remains undisclosed.
The project has received investment support from ENOVA and the NOx Fund, along with financial assistance from NRP and technical help from the Green Shipping Program.
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 believe in. Existing bulk carriers are outdated, necessitating a completely new approach. After evaluating technology maturity, cost-effectiveness, and secure fuel access, we opted for hydrogen ships with hydrogen fuel cells.”
He added that by early 2027, they anticipate hydrogen prices to align with marine gas oil, which could have been an alternative. He noted that all fossil fuels will face increasing CO2 taxes, while hydrogen will not. The combination of low electricity prices for hydrogen production in the North and support from Enova and the NOx Fund significantly influenced their fuel choice. He emphasized their preference for compressed hydrogen without criticizing differing opinions.
GreenH will supply the new vessels with hydrogen produced at various facilities they plan to establish in Hammerfest, Bodø, Sandnessjøen, Kristiansund, Rogaland, and Tønsberg municipality.
The new ships will be 85 meters long and have a deadweight capacity of 4,000 tons, primarily operating in northern and northwestern Norway, transporting materials like sand, stone, and asphalt. One of the vessels has already been leased to Nordasfalt.
The ships are designed by marine engineering company Naval Dynamics, with onboard hydrogen solutions provided by German technology firm e-Cap Marine.
These vessels are claimed to be "the world’s first hydrogen-powered bulk carriers" and are scheduled for delivery in 2027, effectively renewing and doubling Møre Sjø’s fleet, although their total price remains undisclosed.
The project has received investment support from ENOVA and the NOx Fund, along with financial assistance from NRP and technical help from the Green Shipping Program.
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 believe in. Existing bulk carriers are outdated, necessitating a completely new approach. After evaluating technology maturity, cost-effectiveness, and secure fuel access, we opted for hydrogen ships with hydrogen fuel cells.”
He added that by early 2027, they anticipate hydrogen prices to align with marine gas oil, which could have been an alternative. He noted that all fossil fuels will face increasing CO2 taxes, while hydrogen will not. The combination of low electricity prices for hydrogen production in the North and support from Enova and the NOx Fund significantly influenced their fuel choice. He emphasized their preference for compressed hydrogen without criticizing differing opinions.
GreenH will supply the new vessels with hydrogen produced at various facilities they plan to establish in Hammerfest, Bodø, Sandnessjøen, Kristiansund, Rogaland, and Tønsberg municipality.