Norway Inaugurates NCL’s Bio-Methanol-Powered Containership

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  • North Sea Container Line (NCL), in collaboration with Elkem ASA and MPC Container Ships ASA (MPCC), has launched NCL Vestland, a methanol dual-fuel container ship, marking a milestone in sustainable shipping.
  • The vessel, along with its sister ship NCL Nordland, will replace three conventional ships, reducing energy consumption by 63% per TEU per nautical mile while increasing capacity and reducing emissions.
  • Supported by Norwegian Enova and the NOx fund, the ships run on bio-methanol sourced from Equinor, contributing to Norway’s green shipping ambitions.

In a major step towards eco-friendly maritime transport, Norwegian company NCL, in partnership with Elkem and MPCC, has introduced NCL Vestland, the country’s first bio-methanol-powered container ship. The vessel, designed for higher efficiency and reduced carbon footprint, began operations on April 1, 2025, and will strengthen trade routes between Norway and Rotterdam. This project highlights Norway’s commitment to sustainable shipping, ensuring greener logistics for key industries while setting a benchmark for future maritime decarbonization efforts, according to Offshore Energy.

Advancing Sustainable Maritime Transport

On April 1, 2025, NCL Vestland was officially christened in Haugesund, Norway, and has now begun operations, connecting Western, Central, and Northern Norway with Rotterdam, the Netherlands. This first of two MPCC-owned vessels, chartered by NCL and commissioned by Elkem, is designed to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions while transporting Norwegian goods and critical materials to global markets.

Built by China-based Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering, the vessel entered MPCC’s fleet in January 2025. The project is a collaborative effort between NCL, Elkem, and MPCC, with Elkem holding a 40% stake in NCL. The vessels’ innovative design, developed in Norway with NOx fund and Enova support, ensures a carbon-efficient operation, replacing three conventional ships while boosting cargo capacity and stabilizing traffic flows.

A Green Future for Norwegian Shipping

Both NCL Vestland and NCL Nordland operate on dual-fuel technology, capable of using bio-methanol and conventional fuel. To support this shift, NCL has partnered with Equinor for bio-methanol sourcing and bunkering in Norway, ensuring carbon-neutral TEU transport from day one.

The NOK 13.7 million ($1.3 million) grant from Enova and NOK 60 million from the NOx fund have enabled this pioneering project. Battery packs (250 kWh), shore power connections, and electric cranes further enhance port efficiency and emissions reduction. The open-top design prioritizes crew safety, reducing on-deck exposure while ensuring seamless operations.

NCL Vestland is now in service, trading between Stokmarknes and Europe, with calls at Salten, Mo i Rana, Orkanger, Ålesund, and Bremanger. These ships play a critical role in supplying silicon products to key European industries, including automotive, construction, renewable energy, and defense.

Industry leaders Morten Viga (Elkem CFO) and Constantin Baack (MPCC CEO) emphasize that this collaboration sets a precedent for green shipping, supporting Norway’s climate goals and reinforcing its position as a sustainable supplier for Europe.

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Source: Offshore Energy