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Norled News

14 Mar 2024

NIB to Co-Finance Norled’s Vessels and Infrastructure in Norway

Source: Norled

Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) has signed a seven-year loan to co-finance ferry operator Norled AS’ investments in zero and low carbon vessels and related land-based infrastructure in Norway during 2024-2030.The InvestEU program supports the loan under NIBs Framework Operation Green Mobility and Transport approved by the Investment Committee.This NOK 500 million (EUR 43.4 million) loan will help Norled finance the extension of its low-carbon fleet. This is NIB’s first InvestEU loan in Norway.Norway is electrifying its transport network at a rapid pace…

07 Aug 2023

Powering the Transition to Zero-emissions with Hydrogen Fuel Cells

(Photo: Ballard Power Systems)

By now, it is a well-known fact that the marine industry contributes significantly to the greenhouse gasses causing climate change—and the impact is predicted to rise as the demand for shipping by sea increases. Action is needed now, and the majority of ship operators are adopting or planning zero-emission solutions to accommodate upcoming emission reduction targets.A key zero-emission technology that will be a critical enabler for decarbonizing the marine industry—now and in the future—is hydrogen fuel cells.Today…

03 Apr 2023

Norled's Hydrogen-powered Ferry Enters Service

Hydra with the white hydrogen tank visible. The steam is water steam.(Photo: Norled)

A new, first-of-its-kind ferry that runs on liquid hydrogen has entered service for Norwegian operator Norled, breaking new ground for cleaner vessel operations.The 80-car ferry MF Hydra in recent weeks has been undergoing tests and sea trials, officially entering service with approval from the Norwegian Maritime Authority on March 31. The vessel services a triangular route between Hjelmeland, Skipavik and Nesvik in Norway, using 4 tonnes of liquid hydrogen, two 200 kW fuel cells, a 1.36—1.5 MWh battery, and two 440 kW diesel generators.

04 Jul 2022

Sembcorp Marine Delivers 2nd Battery-powered Ropax Ferry to Norled

The second zero-emission battery-powered Ropax ferry designed and built by Sembcorp Marine for Norled (Photo: Sembcorp Marine)

Singapore-based shipbuilder Sembcorp Marine has delivered the second of three identical battery-operated roll-on/roll-off passenger (“Ropax”) ferries to Norwegian ferry operator Norled.Designed by Sembcorp Marine's subsidiary LMG Marin, the shipbuilder says that the zero-emission vessel will be capable of operating at a service speed of 10 knots, powered by lithium-ion batteries which are charged using green hydro-electric power. The ferry can also run on a combined battery-diesel hybrid backup mode when required.The 82.4-metre long multi-deck…

03 Jun 2022

Refurbished Ferry Delivered to CalMac

Loch Frisa passing Isle of Mull on her way to berth (Photo: CalMac Ferries)

A newly refurbished ferry has been delivered to provide additional capacity for operator CalMac Ferries on the west coast of Scotland.Purchased out of Norway in 2021 and renamed Loch Frisa, the vessel departed Dales Marine Services in Leith on May 29 for repositioning to Oban where it is undertaking familiarization and entry-in-to service activities.Starting in mid-June, the double-ended RoPax ferry will be phased into the Oban-Craignure timetable, in tandem with Coruisk. Once Loch Frisa takes over the full Coruisk timetable…

04 Apr 2022

Corvus' Hydrogen Fuel Cell System Gets AIP from DNV

(Image: Corvus Energy)

Corvus Energy announced its hydrogen fuel cell system developed through the H2NOR project has received approval in principle (AIP) from classification society DNV for its safety solution enabling simplified placement of the system inside a ship’s hull.According to Corvus, the fuel cell system (FCS) is the first designed to be inherently gas safe, meaning that the surrounding machinery space will be considered gas safe under all conditions. This design reduces the number of requirements for the safety and ventilation support systems…

17 Mar 2022

Sembmarine Builds Zero-emissions RoPax Ferry for Norled

(Photo: Norled)

Sembcorp Marine announced it has completed fabrication of the first of three identical battery-operated roll-on/roll-off passenger (RoPax) ferries for Norwegian ferry operator Norled.The newly built Hella will be launched into operation for Norled’s shortsea Hella-Vangsnes-Dragsvik connections in Norway.Designed by Sembcorp Marine subsidiary LMG Marin, the vessels incorporate energy-efficient solutions throughout, including quick connection shore charging plugs; auto-mooring; auto-cross; efficient hull, propulsion and heat recovery systems; as well as minimized hotel and auxiliary loads.

21 May 2021

The Shipping Industry Embraces Battery Power

Photo courtesy Flagships project

The past decade has seen tight restrictions on emissions from vessels, notably with a 2015 move to a .10% sulfur maximum in Emission Control Areas (ECA) in North America and in northern Europe. As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) now shapes shipping’s decarbonization future, shipowners are looking at transitions away from fossil fuels. Among the myriad of alternatives are lithium ion batteries and some early forays into hydrogen fuel cells.To date, large batteries are used on short runs…

30 Dec 2020

Marine News' Top Boats of 2020: James V. Glynn and Nikola Tesla

(Photo: Maid of the Mist)

Christopher Glynn had known for some time that he wanted to build all-electric vessels for his Niagara Falls tour boat company Maid of the Mist. In January 2018 he decided in earnest that he was going to make it happen.But where to begin? Fully electric ferries had never been built in North America, so Maid of the Mist would be plying uncharted waters. Glynn, the company’s president, said he and his team started by doing their research—a lot of research—and by hiring a team of consultants to help weigh their options.Inspired by the world’s first all-electric ferry…

22 Oct 2020

Hydrogen Ferry Project Gains $9.4 Mln in Funding

(Image: NCE Maritime CleanTech)

A project to produce a novel emissions-slashing hydrogen passenger ferry has been granted €8 million ($9.4 million) in European funding as the Norwegian government announces strengthened focus on development and commercialization of hydrogen as a carbon-neutral fuel.The HySHIP project involves 14 European partners collaborating on the design and construction of a new ro-ro demonstration vessel running on liquid green hydrogen (LH2), as well as the establishment of a viable LH2 supply chain and bunkering platform.

21 Aug 2020

First of Norled's Four New Hybrid Ferries Enters Service

(Image: Schottel)

Festøya, the first in a series of four new hybrid ferries due for delivery to Norwegian ferry operator Norled in 2020, entered service in mid-July.The double-ended RoPax ferries are being built at the Remontowa shipyard in Poland. Two of the 114.4 m long and 17.7 m wide Norled ferries will service the Festøya-Solavågen route and are capable of taking on board up to 120 cars and 296 passengers. The other two vessels will operate the Mannheller-Fodnes route and are certified to carry more…

05 Mar 2020

SCHOTTEL to Supply EcoPellers to Norled

Photo: SCHOTTEL

SCHOTTEL has won a contract from Ada Shipyard in Turkey to supply propulsion units for two double-ended Ro-Pax ferries. As part of the deal, the German propulsion manufacturer will provide a total of four SCHOTTEL Rudder EcoPellers (SRE) for the LMG 60 DE design vessels ordered recently by Norwegian ferry operator Norled.The ferries’ main propulsion consists of two SCHOTTEL EcoPellers type SRE 270 (810 kW each) with 1.85 m diameter fixed pitch propellers (one at each end of the ferry). Each of the azimuth thrusters is driven by two bio-diesel engines through a twin-in-single-out gearbox.

22 Jan 2020

Ferry Industry Sets Pace on Critical Solutions

(Photo: BC Ferries)

Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan describes a distinctly upbeat period in the worldwide ferry community – and explains how the global trade association plans to take its support to far-reaching new levels.There are times when the phrase “there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics” seems all too true, but here’s an honest number for you – ferries carry a global total of more than 2 billion passengers a year, which is almost on a par with airlines.Hard to believe? Not for those of us in the industry, but almost certainly for many citizens and politicians.

15 Dec 2019

Wilhelmsen, NorSea Join Forces for Hydrogen

The Norwegean global maritime industry group Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA and Denmark-based supply chain manager NorSea join forces to develop liquid hydrogen supply chain for maritime applications in Norway.The environmentally friendly liquid hydrogen can be offered to commercial shipping in large scale supply within first quarter 2024, claimed the companies.Together with major industry players such as Equinor, Viking Cruises, Air Liquide, and more, this is a huge and important step towards a sustainable future, and it aligns perfectly with Wilhelmsen’s long-term strategy supporting the UN sustainable development goals.The project was recently awarded a grant of NOK 33.5 million (USD 3.7 million) from the governmental PILOT-E scheme…

12 Dec 2019

SCHOTTEL to Propel First Hydrogen Ferry

Two new environmentally friendly vessels for the Norwegian ferry operator Norled will be propelled by high efficiency azimuth thrusters from SCHOTTEL (Photo: SCHOTTEL)

SCHOTTEL's Azimuth Thrusters will propel two environmentally friendly vessels for the Norwegian ferry operator Norled.The first ferry to sail on liquid hydrogen was designed by LMG Marin and is currently under construction at Westcon Yards, Norway.Sigvald Breivik, technical director at Norled: “Our goal is to create a new icon among eco-friendly ferries. Hydrogen, as a zero-emission fuel, will be the alternative energy for ferry propulsion systems in cases where longer sailing distances are required and charging batteries is not possible.

02 Dec 2019

Volvo Penta Powers Hybrid Scandinavian Ferries

Photo: Volvo Penta

Volvo Penta to power three hybrid and hybrid-ready ferries currently being built at GS Marine Production AS. GS Marine is currently building a new ferry for Faroe Island operator, Standfaraskip Landsins. This ferry will have a speed of 20 knots and be powered by two of Volvo Penta’s engines. The D13-700 IMO III engines have a power output of 515kW at 2,250 rpm and will be coupled with a Brunvoll hybrid control system – allowing the vessel to run on the engines or electric alone, and even both in unison.

21 Oct 2019

Interferry Conference Highlights Zero-Emissions

Guy Platten (Photo: ICS)

Acknowledging the need to be a leader in the transition to a lower carbon future and eventually net zero emissions, global trade association Interferry convened its 44th annual conference on the theme of innovation - exploring the potential to transform every aspect of the ferry industry. The drive towards zero-emission ferries captured major attention among a record 420 delegates drawn to London earlier this month by a wide-ranging technical, operational and commercial agenda.

22 Aug 2019

SCHOTTEL Wins Deal for Three Hybrid Ferries

Photo: SCHOTTEL

SCHOTTEL secured a contract to provide propulsion units for three newly built hybrid ferries under construction at Sembcorp Marine, Singapore. Each of the double ended RoPax ferries will be equipped with two SCHOTTEL EcoPellers type SRE 340 FP. The vessels will be driven by an battery/diesel electric hybrid system and will be operated during their transits by green battery power. The main propulsion for the LMG 80-DEH design ferries consists of PM motor driven SCHOTTEL EcoPellers type SRE 340 with 2.1 m diameter fixed pitch propellers.

16 Jul 2019

IMO2020: The Rise of Bulk Liquid Hydrogen in Norway

Imagine a power distribution network where excess renewable energy from hydropower, wind, solar, and nuclear energy is converted to hydrogen and used as transportation fuel in the maritime industry. With the allure of a zero emissions fuel, a number of ship owners are starting to seriously consider hydrogen for newly built vessels. As a bold first step, the country of Norway has provided a number of grants to leading maritime companies to conduct feasibility studies into various aspects of this emerging technology sector. Central to this discussion is “how” hydrogen will be transported from its source to end-users.Norwegian based companies…

13 May 2019

FLAGSHIPS to Deploy Two Hydrogen Vessels

Photo courtesy of NCE Maritime CleanTech

The European  project FLAGSHIPS was awarded $5.6m from the EU to support deploying two commercially operated zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell vessels in France and Norway.The FLAGSHIPS project contributes in building two new build vessels, one in Lyon, France and one in Stavanger, Norway. In Lyon, a hydrogen push-boat operated by Compagnie Fluvial de Transport (CFT) will serve as a utility vessel on one of its most demanding rivers, the Rhône. In Stavanger, hydrogen is intended…

04 Jun 2019

World's First: Wärtsilä Intros Auto-Docking System

Finnish technology firm Wärtsilä has taken a notable step towards realising the full commercial potential of autonomous vessels.Following the latest and most advanced testing of its SmartDock auto-docking system, which included giving industry representatives and customers first-hand experience as passengers onboard the test vessel, the company has secured the first order for the system. This makes SmartDock the world’s first commercially available auto-docking solution.By automating docking procedures, the Wärtsilä SmartDock system mitigates potential human errors resulting from ship officers having to perform these technical manoeuvres many times a day.

21 May 2019

DSD Sells its Green Ferry to PE Consortium

The private Norwegian transport and shipping company Det Stavangerske Dampskibsselskap AS (DSD) has entered into an agreement to sell its ferry- and expressboat company Norled to a  private equity (PE) consortium owned jointly by the Nordic infrastructure fund CapMan Infra and the Canadian company CBRE Caledon Capital Management."In recent years, Norled has made significant improvements in many areas. The company has succeeded in combining good and stable operations with success in tender biddings and record-high financial results," said Ingvald Løyning, chairman of Norled.Ingvald added: "At the same time, Norled has undoubtedly consolidated and strengthened its pioneer role in the green shift in maritime industry: First…

18 Feb 2019

Inside the World's Top Ferry Lines

Staten Island Ferries, NYC. Photo Credit: Greg Trauthwein

The ferry business, unlike more industrial parts of the shipping business, touches wide swaths of the world’s population across continents. The membership of Interferry, the leading trade group for the industry, with non-Governmental organization (NGO) status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) includes 200+ members from all parts of the ferry spectrum. These include passenger ferries (including fast ferries), Ro/Pax and cruise ferries operating globally. In selecting “the best” we looked beyond the league tables of “the most” (passengers) and “the biggest” (fleet size).