The Norwegian deep water port of Narvik could get a hydrogen-powered work boat if a consortium behind the project can get some state funds to cover the build costs. Narvik is an important export port, mostly for iron ore coming from Swedish mines. The port is looking to replace a high speed workboat and the consortia is proposing a hydrogen powered vessel, but wants ENOVA, the Norwegian funding agency behind many of the country’s current maritime decarbonisation projects, to help fund the significant difference in costs.
The consortium seeking the funds consists of nine organisations, led by Oslo-listed hydrogen fuel cell developer TECO 2030. The company is currently building a fuel cell factory in Narvik and this vessel could be powered by the first fuel cells from this facility if its current time frame for delivery in 2023 stays on track.
In the consortium is local ship and boat builder GMV (Grovfjord Mekaniske Verksted) with Blom Maritim and Practima contributing to the design and engineering.
“A new hydrogen-powered workboat will put the Port of Narvik in a unique position, where we will reduce our own emissions and use pioneering technology that will become important for both national and international shipping in the years to come,” says Børge Edvardsen Klingan, Port Director at the Port of Narvik.
Hydrogen fuel supply company Everfuel has been brought in to develop the fuelling station. Everfuel is also looking at other hydrogen uses in the town of Narvik, noting the number of trucks that pass through the town on a regular basis. The other partners are the Arctic University of Norway, KUPA and Norinnova Narvik, organisation focused on research, innovation and commercialising research results.
“Now we only need to get support for this project by the Norwegian state enterprise Enova,” wrote Tore Enger, CEO of TECO 2030 ASA in a press statement “Everything else has already been prepared, and we are ready to get to work. Hydrogen will be key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime industry, but the development of hydrogen technology for ships and other hydrogen infrastructure requires large resources,”
“We hope that the Norwegian government will stand by their promise to promote the development of climate and environmentally friendly shipping, and that we will therefore receive support from Enova for this project.”
