Norwegian shipping company Møre Sjø is taking a major step toward sustainable maritime transport by ordering two hydrogen-powered bulk carriers from Turkey’s Gelibolu Shipyard.
The newbuilds, each with a deadweight of 4,000 tons, will be equipped with hydrogen fuel cells and battery-electric propulsion systems. Delivery of the vessels is expected in 2027.
Currently, Møre Sjø, based in Ørsta, operates two bulk carriers built in the 1980s, which are used to transport sand, stone, and asphalt mix along the Møre coast under fixed contracts. One of the new vessels is set to operate under contract with fellow Norwegian company Nordasfalt.
The project is backed by Enova with approximately NOK 85 million (~USD 8.5 million) and is further supported by the NOx Fund, investment firm NRP, and the Green Shipping Program.
“We have been developing this project for several years. With strong support and mature technology, we chose a concept we firmly believe in: hydrogen-powered bulkers with fuel cells are the future,” said Torstein Holsvik, Technical Director at Møre Sjø.
Both vessels are being designed in collaboration with Naval Dynamics. The financial terms of the order have not been disclosed.
