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SeaShuttle, an ambitious project to construct two hydrogen-powered, remotely controlled, and autonomously-capable containerships for delivery by 2025, has received NOK150 million (€15 million) in funding from the Norwegian state-owned firm ENOVA.
The audacious plan, conceived by multimodal transport and logistics company Samskip and marine robotics expert Ocean Infinity, calls for two SeaShuttle ships, each powered by a 3.2MW hydrogen fuel cell, to operate emission-free between Oslo Fjord and Rotterdam.
ENOVA, which operates under the Ministry of Climate and Environment of Norway, supports a move toward ecologically friendly energy use and production, as well as technology based on renewable energy.
The Samskip-Ocean Infinity agreement, initially announced in April during Nor-Shipping 2022 in Oslo, encompasses both the construction and operation of ships in an effort to advance zero-emission, efficient and safe multimodal logistics.
“Samskip is very proud to take the lead role in pioneering the SeaShuttle initiative, as part of its ‘making green logistics easy’ strategy,” said Are Gråthen, CEO, Samskip Norway. “Securing this funding provides a platform to make emissions-free container shipping a reality. Together, Samskip and Ocean Infinity will also accelerate their plans to advance autonomous ship technologies, and remote operation of ships and cargo handling equipment. These ships are the first part of an exciting collaboration with Ocean Infinity.”
In line with commitments given at COP26 Clydebank Declaration, SeaShuttle would create what amounted to one of Europe’s first zero-emission ‘green corridors’, Gråthen added.
Christoffer Jorgenvag, CCO, Ocean Infinity, commented: “Ocean Infinity’s enabling technologies can facilitate green corridors but also the broader decarbonisation and transformation of maritime operations. The emphasis today is on the SeaShuttle vessels, which are just part of Ocean Infinity’s overall strategy of unlocking innovation to deliver truly sustainable maritime operations. We would like to thank Enova for their support for our vision which represents a firm endorsement of our ground-breaking approach and allows us to proceed at full speed in bringing this project to life.”
The funding means the partners can move forward to contract two new 500TEU ships installed with a main propulsion solution that can be adapted to run on hydrogen fuel. Diesel electric propulsion plant will be on board as back up, although Gråthen emphasized: “We have faith that green hydrogen will be affordable and available in Norway.”
Kari-Pekka Laaksonen, Group CEO, Samskip commented: “For Samskip, sustainability is one of the fundamentals of doing business. The SeaShuttle project is a substantial step in Samskip’s journey towards zero emission logistics. Its combination of fuel, technology and operational best practice is expected to make emissions-free shortsea shipping cost competitive with existing solutions.”
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