Enova, the Norwegian government enterprise responsible for promoting environmentally friendly energy and climate solutions, has announced a significant funding commitment of NOK 362 million (approximately €31.6 million) to support the development of seven electric vessels and four associated charging facilities.
Emission-Free Shipping
Norway’s state-owned enterprise, Enova, is providing substantial funding to accelerate the electrification of its shipping sector, supporting projects that include what could become the “world’s largest” battery-electric containership. This initiative marks a significant step towards emission-free maritime transport.
Pioneering Battery-Powered Containerships: Eitzen Avanti is a key recipient of this funding, securing NOK 200 million for a groundbreaking project to construct two battery-powered ships. These vessels are designed to transport containers between Norway, Sweden, and Germany. Each ship will boast impressive battery packs exceeding 100 MWh and will be capable of carrying 850 containers, representing a major leap in electric cargo capacity.
Andreas Forsnes Jahn, Senior Advisor in Maritime Transport at Enova, commented on the significance of these projects: “Each of these projects demonstrates in its own way what is possible with battery electrification in shipping. The technology is now mature and the projects are available.” He added, “If the electrification of car ferries was the first wave, we hope that this will be the start of the second wave of electrification in short sea shipping.”
Support for Port Infrastructure: Complementing these vessel-specific projects, the Port of Oslo is also receiving NOK 20.6 million in support for a charging facility for ships at its container terminal at Sjursøya. Ingvar M. Mathisen, Port Director at the Port of Oslo, underscored the importance of this support: “The Port of Oslo’s vision is to be the world’s most efficient and environmentally friendly city port. Enova’s support is a very important contribution to realizing Oslo’s and the port’s ambitious climate goals.”
The Economic Case for Electric Shipping: Fridtjof C. Eitzen, CEO of the Eitzen Group, highlighted the compelling economic rationale behind this transition: “The Eitzen Group sees great potential in the electrification of regional shipping. Battery prices have decreased by over 80% in the last decade and will continue to fall as demand increases worldwide. Like a train that cannot be stopped, the use of electric ships will force itself forward as the most cost-effective way to transport goods at sea over time.” He expressed gratitude for the support from Enova and the Port of Oslo, calling it “crucial to realizing the project and an important first step towards scaling electric at sea.”
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Source: Offshore Energy
