Eitzen eyes building world's largest electric container ships

Norway’s Ministry of Climate and the Environment-backed funding arm Enova has selected Eitzen Group division Eitzen Avanti as one of the companies receiving support for what Enova calls "a groundbreaking project" to build electric box ships.

The projects aims to build two battery-powered ships to transport containers between Norway, Sweden and Germany. 

According to Enova, the vessels will have battery packs of over 100 MWh and will be able to transport 850 containers.

"They could thus become the world’s largest battery-powered container ships,” Enova said.

Enova is awarding Eitzen Avanti some Nkr200M (US$20M) in aid to support the build of the vessels. In total, in its latest funding round, Enova has committed around Nkr363M (US$35M) to support projects involving seven electric vessels and four vessel charging stations in port. The projects are forecast to avoid 20,836 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions annually. 

"These projects show what is possible with battery electrification in shipping. The technology is now mature and the projects are available," Enova senior advisor for maritime transport Andreas Forsnes Jahn said.

"If electrification of car ferries was the first wave, we hope this will be the start of the second electrification wave in shortsea shipping," he said.

Electric bulk and ferry vessels

Enova said it is providing support for several projects that "demonstrate the breadth of maritime electrification".

Using Enova funding, Polar Energy Shipco will build an all-electric bulk carrier that will transport minerals along the Norwegian coast. With rotor sails and battery packs of over 20 MWh, the ship will be able to operate in a fully electric mode, according to Enova. 

Brim Explorer will receive support for two battery-electric ferries that are set to operate between the Norwegian ports of Ålesund and Geiranger.

"The ships have a number of innovative energy efficiency measures and will have battery packs of approximately 3 MWh," Enova said.

Additionally, Lovundlaks will receive support for two electric workboats, as well as two dedicated charging facilities at the company’s shoreside bases.

Charging facilities

The Port of Oslo is receiving funding for a vessel charging facility at the container terminal on Sjursøya. 

"The Port of Oslo’s vision is to be the world’s most efficient and environmentally friendly city port. Enova’s support is a very important contribution to realising Oslo’s and the port’s ambitious climate goals," said Oslo Port Director Ingvar Mathisen.

"I would also like to commend Eitzen Avanti for being ... [a] groundbreaking company that dares to invest in new, green technology. Its commitment and willingness to lead the way shows the way for the entire industry," he said.

In addition, GC Rieber Minerals will receive support for a charging facility at the Bergen-area port of Laksevågneset.