TECO 2030 together with BLOM Maritime and Samskip receive a grant for a pre-project aiming to retrofit Samskip’s vessel Kvitnos with TECO 2030 fuel cells and H₂ fuel. This innovative project aims to significantly reduce emissions from this liquified natural gas (LNG)-fueled vessel, which currently operates on a weekly multipurpose service from Rotterdam, The Netherlands and along most of the Norwegian coastline to Hammerfest. By switching to zero-emission H₂ technology, these partners join in their goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The goal of the project is to prepare for an investment decision to retrofit Kvitnos. The project also aims to facilitate long-term H₂ fuel supply contracts due to the vessel’s fixed route.

Blom Maritime will support naval architects, piping engineers and structural engineers to produce the documentation needed to obtain preliminary approval of the fuel cell and H₂ solution. Blom Maritime has its main expertise in engineering for retrofitting solutions, a great strength for this project.

Samskip is a multimodal logistics company, offering transport services by land, sea, rail and air around the world. The group has an annual turnover of €900 MM, and currently has offices in 24 countries and a network covering 35 countries. Samskip has already one H₂-powered container vessel under construction in the SeaShuttle project. This new retrofit project with Kvitnos may become Samskip’s second H₂ project.

Sustainability lies at the center of Samskip as a company. Samskip is committed to seize every opportunity to become Net-Zero by 2040. This project represents an opportunity to greatly reduce, or even eliminate, all emissions from one of our existing vessels.

Samskip Regional Director Norway and Sweden, Are Grathen said, “With the delivery of our LNG propelled multipurpose vessels back in 2015, Samskip already offered one of the world’s most environmentally friendly cargo ships, which eliminated SO_x emissions while drastically reducing NO_x and CO₂ emissions. With this grant from Enova, and in close cooperation with fuel cell provider TECO 2030.

We will continue our endeavor to enable full zero emission propulsion which in turn will further pave the way for our H₂-propelled new-builds coming out next year and bring us closer to our net-zero targets for 2040.” 

Samskip Head of Fleet Management, Erik Hofmeester said, “Samskip embraces every opportunity to reduce CO₂ emissions either through using biofuels, CO₂ capture-systems, shore-power, innovative newbuilding vessels, and now also into retro-fits solutions.

Using the power take in device (PTI) driving the propellor with green energy, allowing our existing vessels to sail and maneuver emission-free in the Norwegian Fjords and other coastal areas.”

“This grant shows our capability to help our clients secure public funding for smaller pre-studies, this means they can focus on progress towards their ultimate goals of zero emission shipping. Our fuel cell technology is a great match for retrofitting the existing fleet to operate with environment friendly propulsion along the coast,” said Tore Enger, Group CEO, TECO 2030.