In a major step toward decarbonizing maritime transport, Norwegian shipping firm Møre Sjø has commissioned the construction of two hydrogen-powered bulk carriers. The ships, designed to operate entirely emission-free, will be built at Gelibolu Shipyard in Türkiye and are expected to enter service in 2027.
Each vessel will be 85 meters long with a deadweight of 4,000 tons and will primarily transport sand, stone, and asphalt along northern and northwestern Norway. One of the newbuilds has already been leased to construction materials company Nordasfalt.
The project brings together a strong team of partners: Naval Dynamics is responsible for ship design, while e-Cap Marine of Germany will supply onboard hydrogen systems. Hydrogen fuel will be provided by GreenH, which plans to produce hydrogen across multiple sites in Norway, including Hammerfest, Bodø, and Kristiansund.
“These hydrogen-powered bulk carriers are the result of years of planning and support from industry stakeholders,” said Torstein Holsvik, Technical Director at Møre Sjø. “With growing CO₂ taxes on fossil fuels, hydrogen has become a cost-competitive, sustainable alternative.”
The project received investment and technical backing from ENOVA, the NOx Fund, NRP, and the Green Shipping Program. Holsvik added that low electricity prices in Northern Norway make local hydrogen production especially attractive.
When delivered, these ships are expected to be the first hydrogen-powered bulk carriers in the world, doubling Møre Sjø’s current fleet and setting a benchmark for green maritime logistics in Europe.