Two Norwegian shippers are set to launch the world’s first commercial tender for shipping companies and shipyards to build and own zero-emission bulker newbuildings operated under long-term freight contracts.
The tender, to be opened on Friday, has emerged from Norway’s Green Shipping Programme (GSP) and is an attempt to progress green technology into the commercial markets.
It has the support of minister of climate and the environment Sveinung Rotevatn who is backing the project as part of the government's Green Action Plan to dramatically reduce the country’s carbon emissions.
The tender involves transporting grain cargoes from Eastern Norway to the West of the country for Felleskjopet Agri and carrying industrial stone on the return voyage for the HeidelbergCement Group.
It is estimated that two vessels of roughly 5,000 dwt each will be required to meet both companies transportation requirements.
State backing
Tendering shipping companies will be expected to come up with the basic design and technology for the ships and bid based on purely commercial terms. However, public funding could be made available for the project through research and development schemes, such as Norway’s NOx Fund or Innovation Norway.
There is no indication of the budget or timescale for the project.
The prospect of state backing is likely to make Norwegian shipowner and yard bidders strong contenders for the contract. Bergen-based dry bulk shipowner and operator Grieg Group is a strong supporter and participant in the GSP.
DNV GL’s Narve Mjos, director of the GSP, said it would be up to the owner to propose the zero-emission concept, but hydrogen power is likely to be a “strong candidate” technology for the project.
He believes the tender is a significant step that could provide a model for future zero-emission vessel commercial projects. He said that HeidelbergCement and Felleskjopet Agri came together under the GSP and were able to form a plan to combine their seaborne transport requirements to maximise transport efficiency.
Cultural change
Mjos said shippers are the key drivers in the move towards a low carbon industry. “The attitude among cargo owners is very different these days compared to two or three years ago. Now if they have a green ship and it is cost effective, they want to get involved,” he said.
Classification services and equipment supply contracts are all intended to be provided on a competitive commercial basis.
Formed in 2015, the GSP is a Norwegian partnership project between private and public companies. It has more than 50 members including Teekay Corp, Kongsberg Maritime, Carnival Cruise Line and Wartsila.
