The Norwegian shipping company Møre Sjø is investing in hydrogen-powered freighters. Built by Gelibolu and classified by Bureau Veritas, they are set to set new standards for low-emission coastal freight transport.
The shipping company Møre Sjø aims to become Norway’s leading zero-emission shipping company for coastal freight transport. With this in mind, Møre Sjø is having 2+2 hydrogen-powered freighters built at the Gelibolu shipyard.
The German company eCap Marine is supplying the hydrogen propulsion for the newbuildings. Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) was commissioned to classify the project.
The ships will be equipped with a high-pressure hydrogen propulsion system, a battery storage system and electric propulsion. They will have a length of 88.7 meters and a width of 14.2 meters. The maximum draught of the 3,750-BRZ vessels will be 6 meters. The newbuildings are designed for the transportation of heavy cargo and occasional bulk goods under the Norwegian flag.
On delivery from the shipyard, the vessels are to meet the requirements for the BV class notation “Hydrogenfuel-prepared”. The hydrogen propulsion system is currently being developed by eCap Marine, which is also responsible for its installation, commissioning and carrying out the “Alternative Design Approval” process. According to BV, it will closely monitor the entire testing and approval process in order to “ensure safe and reliable integration of the system”. Upon completion, the ships will receive the class notation “Hydrogenfuel”.
According to Bureau Veritas, in addition to the alternative fuel capability, the ships will be provided with a comprehensive classification scope, including the notations Cyber Resilient, Unrestricted Navigation, AUT-UMS, In-Water Survey and OPS (On-shore Power System). These standards are intended to ensure that the freighters meet the requirements for safety, performance and operational flexibility and can be operated as zero-emission vessels.
Matthieu de Tugny, Executive Vice President, Industrials and Commodities at Bureau Veritas, says: “This project is an important step in advancing hydrogen as an alternative fuel for general cargo shipping. By working with Gelibolu Shipyard, eCap Marine and Møre Sjø AS, we are helping to introduce new technologies safely and reliably – with a focus on efficiency and sustainability. At BV, we are proud to support our partners on the path to energy transition. These ships show how forward-thinking owners and shipyards can pave the way to a lower-emission future.”
Managing Director of Møre Sjø, Torstein Holsvik, adds: “Our ambition is to build Norway’s leading zero-emission shipping company for coastal freight transportation – a profitable, scalable and disruptive company with a clear green profile as a competitive advantage.”
