Enova hands out NOK362m in subsidies to seven electric vessel projects

Norwegian state enterprise Enova has awarded approximately NOK362 million ($34.5 million) in funding to support the construction of seven new electric vessels and four shore-based charging facilities.

The largest portion of the funding will support Eitzen Avanti in building what could become the world’s largest battery-electric container ships, according to Enova.

The two planned vessels will have battery packs of over 100 MWh, a capacity of 850 TEU each, and are intended for routes between Norway, Sweden, and Germany. The Port of Oslo also received funding to build a dedicated charging facility for these ships.

Funding was also granted to Polar Energy Shipco to construct an all-electric bulk carrier for transporting minerals along the Norwegian coast. The vessel will be equipped with rotor sails and a battery pack of over 20 MWh.

A related grant was awarded to GC Rieber Minerals for a charging facility at Laksevågneset.

In the passenger sector, Brim Explorer received support for two battery-electric tourist vessels for the Ålesund-Geiranger route.

Additionally, aquaculture firm Lovundlaks was granted funds for two electric workboats and two dedicated charging facilities.