Torghatten Nord has chosen Norwegian shipyard Myklebust Verft for the construction of two hydrogen ferries, which will carry up to 120 cars on Norway’s longest ferry route between Bodø and Lofoten. The ferries will be the world’s largest hydrogen ships and will be fuelled with hydrogen produced in Bodø.
– ‘At Myklebust, we found an environment with a high level of expertise at a sustainable price. I’m proud that we can do this in Norway, because it’s a big boost for the Norwegian technology and shipbuilding community. Together with the authorities, we are about to set the standard for a whole new class of ships, with a world-class innovation and climate project,’ says Marius Hansen, CEO of Torghatten Nord.
Myklebust Verft is located in Gursken south of Ålesund. The contract for the construction of the 117-metre-long ferries means increased staffing and a high level of activity at the shipyard for the foreseeable future.
– ‘We are very pleased to have reached an agreement to build the world’s largest hydrogen ship, in close co-operation with the shipping company. Together with the maritime cluster in Norway, we will develop new knowledge, secure jobs and be able to take on more apprentices with this assignment. It will be exciting to deliver something no one has done before us,’ says Leiv Sindre Muren, CEO of Myklebust Verft.
The Minister of Transport and Communications is pleased that the contract to build the hydrogen ferries has been awarded to a Norwegian shipyard.
– ‘I would like to congratulate Torghatten Nord and Myklebust Verft on an important agreement for the Norwegian maritime industry. The government is committed to sustainability, good pay and working conditions, the use of apprentices, innovation and local ripple effects in our contracts. The agreement shows that Norwegian shipyards are competitive, and it will help to build more expertise in zero-emission solutions,’ says Minister of Transport and Communications John-Ivar Nygård.
‘Passenger transport using hydrogen over such a long and demanding route has not been done anywhere else in the world. The design and technical solutions will address all safety aspects for ferries travelling long distances in rough waters.
– ‘There are no other maritime hydrogen projects internationally that come close to the scale and ambitions of this project. We have therefore prioritised spending some time building a team of Norwegian suppliers with the aim of transporting local people, businesses and tourists in a safe, efficient and comfortable way. This involves design, safety systems, hydrogen production, and now the construction of the vessels. It has been particularly demanding to get this in place in a market characterised by war and uncertainty in Europe,’ says Hansen of Torghatten Nord.
The ferries will be delivered from Myklebust Verft in 2026. The suppliers of design, technology, equipment and hydrogen in the project are Norwegian, and the project is also working closely with the Norwegian Maritime Authority and the classification society Lloyd’s Register to develop procedures and safety standards for a completely new type of ferry.
– ‘When we’re building two large ships packed with new technology, it’s desirable that the project is thoroughly analysed before the contract with the shipyard is signed. Now we have laid a good foundation for succeeding with the ambitions of the project,’ says Hansen.
Image of Torghatten Nord
Press release https://shorturl.at/PVwXt
