US$25M in funding awarded for the development of two zero-emissions PSVs and onshore charging infrastructure
Norway’s Enova has awarded a grant of Nkr250M (about US$25M) to Northshore to support the development of two battery-powered platform supply vessels (PSVs) and shoreside charging infrastructure.
Northshore chief executive, Østen Mortvedt called the grant “a big step towards zero-emissions offshore logistics” in a social media post.
The Tromsø-based shipping company plans to deploy the 4,500-dwt, battery-powered vessels offshore in the Barents Sea. Each 89-m vessel will be fitted with enough energy storage capacity to transit an estimated 1,200 km. The vessels will replace existing diesel-powered units
According to Enova, the PSVs will be operational in 2028, and calculations show a reduction of 3,759 tonnes of CO2 per ship each year compared with a diesel-powered vessel.
The project, which has been developed in close collaboration with the Green Shipping Programme, was submitted in the September 2025 funding round.
Of the total support, Nkr200M (about US$20M) will go to the battery solutions for two PSVs, and Nkr50M (about US$5M) to establish shoreside charging infrastructure, provided by Plug Onshore Power Supply (OPS). The project is funded in collaboration with Silver Sea.
According to Mr Mortvedt, the OSVs are designed by Naval Dynamics and “will be the first of their kind in the world – an important step towards emissions-free operations in the offshore segment, especially with operations adapted to the Barents Sea.”
OPS technology engineered by Bergen-based Plug will make it possible to charge the ships while they are docked at Polarbase in Hammerfest.
“When battery operation works offshore, it shows that the technology is ripe for demanding conditions and longer operating times without access to charging,” said Enova acting head of maritime transport, Andreas Forsnes Jahn.
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