Hydrogen-powered dry bulk fleet under construction for Baltic and North Sea

A Norwegian owner of bulk cargo ships has extensive plans to build a new fleet of low-emissions vessels for trade in the Baltic Sea and North Sea.

Maris Fiducia head of innovation and projects Quint Vedder told Riviera that his company is building a fleet of sustainable vessels to operate in northern Europe with low emissions, in an interview at Riviera’s Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cell Conference in Bergen, Norway.

The first five vessels, which are under construction, he said will have dual-fuel engines, including biodiesel, and hydrogen fuel cells in parallel to operate in the Baltic area.

The company has plans to build another five, with Norwegian Government funding and with 10 fuel cells powering two Z-drive propellers.

Maris Fiducia expects these will mainly operate in Norwegian waters and around Scandinavia, but their trading could be limited by availability of alternative fuels.

Mr Vedder says more newbuilds could be ordered after this, but without the need for state-backed finance as there would be a commercial business case.

These investments require hydrogen bunkering infrastructure set up around the Baltic area, he says.

In the interview, Mr Vedder talks about the partners Maris Fiducia is working with on the first series of newbuild ships, and potentially for the next phase of its decarbonisation strategy.