World’s first zero-emission bulker to debut in 2024

Zerp-emission vessel will have rotor sails and hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine. [Image: Norwegian Ship Design]

Trondheim, Norway, headquartered family-owned shipowner Egil Ulvan Rederi has been awarded a contract to build what is claimed will be the world’s first zero-emission bulk carrier.

The 88-meter, 5,000 dwt self-unloading vessel will be used on a Norwegian route to transport aggregates from HeidelbergCement Norway in western Norway in one direction and grain from farmer-owned cooperative Felleskjøpet AGRI, in eastern Norway, on the backhaul.

Egil Ulvan Rederi was selected to develop, build and operate the ship in a tender process, facilitated by the Green Shipping Program, a public-private partnership,

Competition was strong, with 31 shipowners competing for the contract through a six month long process.

The ship design concept was developed in close cooperation with Norwegian Ship Design — TNSDC — and has the project name “With Orca – Powered by Nature.”

ROTOR SAILS AND HYDROGEN

A significant part of the energy required to operate the vessel will be harvested directly from the nature trough two large rotor sails. The vessel’s sailing route will mostly be in open waters in the North Sea, where wind conditions are good for wind assisted propulsion. To counter drifting, the vessel will be equipped with a specially developed keel.

The vessel will also be equipped with a hydrogen-fueled combustion engin, with what, at this stage, are described as “add-ons for increased efficiency.”

Hydrogen will be stored on board in compressed form.

The ship concept will be fully developed and optimized this year, with the aim being to place and order with a shipyard by the end of the year. Plans are for it to enter operation in early 2024.