Viridis Bulk Carriers, a leading maritime company, has been awarded a substantial financial boost of NOK 152 million by Enova SF, a prominent Norwegian government agency. This grant is earmarked for the construction of two cutting-edge ammonia-powered bulk carriers.
The announcement was made by Espen Barth Eide, the Norwegian Minister for Environment and Climate, during a press conference held in Oslo earlier today. Espen Barth Eide emphasized the imperative need for emission-free energy systems to meet the ambitious targets set forth in the Paris Agreement. He underscored the pivotal role of innovative technologies and sustainable, zero-emission fuels in achieving this goal, praising the projects supported by Enova for their comprehensive approach encompassing hydrogen and ammonia utilization, CO2 capture technology, all-electric ship operation, and charging infrastructure.
This substantial investment grant marks a crucial milestone in realizing a carbon-neutral transportation system encompassing ships, cargo, and bunkering, a vision diligently pursued by Viridis Bulk Carriers and its network of collaborators over the past three years. The Viridis vessels, tailored to meet charterers’ cargo capacity requirements, boast a sailing range comparable to the existing short-sea bulk vessel fleet while maintaining safety standards equivalent to conventional vessels. Orders for these groundbreaking ships are anticipated to be placed towards the end of 2023, with deliveries commencing in 2025.
André Risholm, Co-founder and board member at Viridis Bulk Carriers, hailed the Enova grant as instrumental in realizing these highly innovative vessels, poised to spearhead the ammonia-powered revolution in shipping.
The Viridis vessels have been meticulously designed in close partnership with client stakeholders and key suppliers, with a focus on future-proofing cargo capacities and operational capabilities. Kongsberg Maritime, a global leader in marine technology, has played a pivotal role in shaping the vessel’s design.
Espen Nordstrøm, Co-founder and board member at Viridis Bulk Carriers, celebrated this development as a pivotal moment in their commitment to decarbonize the short-sea bulk market in collaboration with forward-thinking clients and technology leaders.
A critical challenge in this transition has been addressing the parallel development of ammonia-powered ships and the necessary bunkering infrastructure. Viridis, in conjunction with Yara Clean Ammonia, Azane Fuel Solutions, and other partners in the “Ammonia fuel bunkering network” project, is taking proactive steps to ensure the availability of ammonia fuel coincides with the vessels’ operational commencement.
Peder N. Jarlsby, Board member at Viridis Bulk Carriers, affirmed their commitment to establishing a new fuel value chain, solving the longstanding “chicken-and-egg” dilemma by synchronizing the appearance of both ships and bunkering infrastructure.
