Wilhelmsen’s project to construct the world’s first zero emission hydrogen vessels has been awarded 219 million Norwegian kroner (MUSD 25) by the Norwegian government-owned organisation Enova. These funds will enable Wilhelmsen to further develop the technology and additional infrastructure required to support the maritime industry’s ambitions towards zero emission fuels.
The Topeka project will see the construction of two ro-ro vessels servicing the short sea segment. The vessels will, amongst other tasks, move goods between offshore supply bases along the Norwegian west coast. In addition, the Topeka vessels will transport hydrogen to different filling stations where local ferries and other vessels as well as land transport will have hydrogen as a ready-to-use fuel.
“The funds from Enova are a pivotal step in making Topeka happen, and an important milestone for the maritime industry and for Norway as a nation when considering hydrogen as a fuel”, commented senior vice president, Industrial Investments at Wilhelmsen, Jan Eyvin Wang.
“To reach our ambitions for zero emission ocean transport, new technology has to be developed. Batteries cover many needs but not all. This means the introduction and usage of zero emission energy carriers such as hydrogen is crucial,” said CEO for Enova, Nils Kristian Nakstad.
“With this new funding, our vision of hydrogen vessels and infrastructure supporting various industries along the coast is much closer to becoming a reality and that is enormously exciting”, added Jan Eyvin Wang.
Wilhelmsen aims to be an integral part of the development of hydrogen for marine applications in Norway and also internationally. “We believe we can build and learn in Norway. We have the political will here, and Wilhelmsen has a unique network along the coast through our subsidiary company NorSea Group. Our goal is to start with our two Topeka vessels, and in time expand to be able to support the entire maritime industry with zero emission fuel alternatives. Together with our partners, Enova and aided by the Norwegian government’s ambitions, we can make Norway the Silicon Valley for maritime hydrogen globally.”
“Hydrogen as a fuel enables opportunities for low, or zero-emission shipping. Topeka will be our first step towards scalable LH2 fuelled maritime operations. We shall create a full LH2 infrastructure and commercial ecosystem, while at the same time removing yearly some 25 000 trucks from the roads,” explained vice president of special projects, Per Brinchmann at Wilhelmsen, who is also coordinating the project.
