The shipping company Northshore, from Tromsø, Norway, plans to build two electric battery-powered platform supply vessels (PSV) that will serve the offshore fields of the Barents Sea, which will replace the current diesel vessels and reduce emissions to zero. The project is one of those favored by the resources that Enova makes available to develop battery-powered ships.
The ship will be the first of its kind and will demonstrate that it is possible to operate supply traffic at sea with zero emissions. The length will be 89 meters and the weight, all inclusive, could reach 4,500 tons, including a battery pack equivalent to one thousand electric cars.
The range will be 655 nautical miles or 1,200 kilometers, the distance between Oslo and Tromsø, on a single charge.
The unit is expected to be operational in 2028 and calculations show a reduction per ship of 3,759 tons of CO2 per year compared to a modern diesel ship.
Plug AS, in Bergen, will allow the ships to be charged while docked at Polarbase in Hammerfest. The project demonstrates how collaboration between technology companies and maritime players can generate lasting change and make zero-emission ships the new normal.
“The Enova award is a clear signal of Norway’s commitment to green maritime solutions. This support allows us to develop technology that can set a new standard for zero-emission offshore operations. For Northshore, this means value creation, skills development, and an important step towards a more sustainable future,” said Østen Mortvedt, CEO of Northshore.
“When battery operation works offshore, it demonstrates that the technology is mature for demanding conditions and longer operating times without access to charging,” said Andreas Forsnes Jahn, interim head of Shipping at Enova.
