Hydrogen backbone for maritime shipping takes shape

Bunkering

When they enter service, these new bulk carriers will be refuelled with liquid hydrogen supplied by Gen 2 Energy’s terminal in the port of Mosjøen. The Norwegian energy producer plans to build two electrolysis and liquefaction facilities for large-scale production and shipping of green hydrogen, one in the Nesbruket area and the other in the Holandsvika area on Norway’s west coast.

Gen2 Nesbruket project was selected for support under the European Innovation Fund 2025 Hydrogen Auction, managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). The Innovation Fund is financed through revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System. When the €62M (US$71M) award was announced in May, Gen2 chief executive, Lena Halvari, said the company was “now in position to take part in building the backbone of a new maritime fuel infrastructure” for zero-emission shipping.

Primarily owned by private equity fund HYCAP, Gen2 Energy plans to start production of green hydrogen in 2027, once it takes FID. It has already received confirmation of a 150 MW grid capacity reservation for its project at Monstad, which would be capable of producing 60 tonnes of liquefied green hydrogen per day using renewable energy.

Enova’s head of Hydrogen and Ammonia Initiatives, Elin Ugland Stokland, emphasised the need to support maritime pioneers in low- and zero-emission ships. “If we are to succeed in the transition to low- and zero-emission solutions in the maritime sector, we depend on players who dare to go first. LH2 Shipping shows how shipping companies can take the lead and adopt new technology. This is crucial to accelerating development and reducing emissions from shipping,” she said.

Owned by Norway’s Ministry of Climate and Energy, Enova uses funding from the state’s Climate and Energy Fund to back projects that support Norway’s climate ambitions.

Minister of Climate and Environment, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen called this latest round of funding “a big step in the direction,” adding that “various zero-emission solutions are increasingly available to shipping.” The minister said shipping accounts for 8% of Norway’s emissions, making the development of commercially viable low-emissions propulsion important to advancing the country’s climate goals.

Keel laying at Turkish shipyard

LH2 Shipping’s vessels are not the first hydrogen-powered bulk carriers for Norway. In 2025, Norway’s Møre Sjø ordered two zero-emission cargo vessels with hydrogen fuel cells and batteries at Turkey’s Geilibou Shipyard, backed by Enova funding. A keel laying ceremony was held at the Turkish shipyard on 9 June 2026.

Designed by Naval Dynamics with the integration of a high-pressure hydrogen power system, a battery pack, and electric propulsion, the Norway-flagged vessels will be designed to transport heavy and dry bulk cargoes, with an overall length of 89 m, a beam of 14 m, and a maximum draught of 6 m.

When delivered, the hydrogen fuel cell-powered vessels will be designed to use compressed hydrogen, meeting the requirements for BV’s HYDROGENFUEL-PREPARED notation. eCap Marine is designing the hydrogen power system and will also be responsible for its installation, commissioning, and the execution of the alternative design approval process. Once completed, the vessels will be eligible to be certified with BV’s HYDROGENFUEL notation.