Norway launches Green Coastal Shipping initiative

Norwegian State Secretary for Climate and Environment Lars Andreas Lunde (holding the declaration), Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Monica Mæland (right), and DNV GL's Deputy Group CEO Remi Eriksen (left) have signed a declaration of cooperation with key players in the Norwegian coastal shipping industry

JANUARY 16, 2015 — Norway aims to have the world’s most environmentally friendly fleet of coastal vessels according to a declaration of cooperation just signed by Minister of Trade and Industry Monica Mæland, State Secretary for Climate and Environment Lars Andreas Lunde and key players in the Norwegian coastal shipping industry.

LNG and battery power are projected to comprise a considerable share of the fuel that will be used by the global fleet in future. Norway already has a leading position in this field and has a good environmental and business starting point to more broadly implement these new technologies. DNV GL has now taken the initiative to launch a Green Coastal Shipping programme, a joint effort by industry and authorities to ensure that in the future Norway will have one of the world’s most environmentally friendly and efficient coastal shipping industries.

“We can achieve this if we want to. There are many examples of incentives driving forward a green shift,” says DNV GL’s Deputy Group CEO Remi Eriksen. “The technology is there, but we have to scale up its use considerably in order to maintain our international position

Both the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Climate and Environment are supporting these efforts.

“The shipping industry is very well equipped to lead the way in the green shift. This can contribute to exports of good, future-oriented and environmentally friendly solutions. I’m sure DNV GL’s expertise and experience in shipping will help to maintain Norway’s position as a world leader in the maritime industry,” says Monica Mæland, the Minister of Trade and Industry.

“This year, the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris is to negotiate a new climate agreement that will entail new obligations and the implementation of new climate measures. For this reason, more ships must use environmentally friendly fuels, such as gas and battery power, and we must see more ships with new energy-efficient designs. The green shift in the maritime industry will both resolve environmental challenges and create value,” says Tine Sundtoft, the Minister of Climate and Environment. The declaration was signed on her behalf by State Secretary Lars Andreas Lunde.

“We envisage a fleet of offshore vessels, tankers, cargo, container, bulk and passenger ships, ferries, fishing and aquaculture vessels, tugs and other coastal vessels, run entirely or partly using batteries, LNG or other green fuels,” says DNV GL’s Narve Mjøs, who is the program director for the Green Coastal Shipping program.

The Green Coastal Shipping program has been developed to help implement the government’s new maritime strategy and will be a joint effort by several industries, ministries and state departments. The program will provide an important contribution to the achievement of both national and global climate goals and will also help to reduce air pollution. At the same time, it will be a driver for innovation and green workplaces. In time, it is also expected to provide major export opportunities for the maritime, energy and supplier industries.

“We want to make Norway a world leader in, and a showcase for, green coastal shipping and to attract international attention,” says Narve Mjøs.

In cooperation with the parties, a program plan will be established, describing the program’s activities in detail. The declaration has been signed by a total of 18 companies and organizations, together with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Seafood policy and Ministry of Climate and Environment.

Narve Mjøs says that more parties are welcome to join the program.