Norway is well positioned as a world leader in emissions-free solutions at sea, says Bjørn Haugland who refers to the many incentives that the country considers toward a green shipping industry and a sustainable future for the global market.
In 2014 Norway got its first electric ferry. Only seven years later, in 2021, just over 70 ferries with battery will be operating around Norway. Almost everyone is designed and built by our maritime industries. I believe that the government and the Norwegian maritime industry can build on this success.
Norway is well positioned as a world leader in emissions-free solutions at sea. Many ships with battery solutions are already in operation, soon hydrogen will also come. When the government before summer presents an action plan for green shipping, they can further strengthen Norwegian maritime competitiveness.
Through different regulations, procurements and incentives a country like Norway can build up a green shipping industry serving a global market. By consistently demanding emission-free ships and solutions in public procurement of transport services, we increase the demand for such ships. Our regional authorities must receive financial help that rewards the choice of emission-free solutions rather than continuing with traditional diesel. In both the aquaculture industry and the oil and gas industry, licenses may be required to use emission-free propulsion in the boats.
A new infrastructure must be established in our ports. Requirements for shore power in all ports along the coast will ensure that the infrastructure is in place when more and more ships are charging, or use shore power instead of diesel when they are docked. With several technologies in pipeline, it must be possible to fill both hydrogen and sustainable biofuel along the coast. In the build-up phase, the additional cost for the investments here should be covered by the authorities, until the volume is large enough to be covered by the users.
In order to meet the Paris Agreement Targets, all sectors must cut emissions towards zero before 2050.
The decision on emission-free world heritage sites has meant that several cruise lines will build ships with emission-free solutions. Both Hurtigruten and Havila have announced that they are planning ships with battery packs large enough to sail emission-free in the Norwegian fjords. Thus, they show the industry that it is possible to adapt technology well in advance of 2026. In the future, there should be requirements for all tourist resorts to be emission-free, in order to avoid that cruise traffic moves to other fjords.
An overall and good tool in the maritime industry is the NOx fund, which has been a success in reducing NOx emissions through investments in new technology. Either this scheme can be expanded to also apply to CO2 emissions, or a separate maritime CO2 fund can be established. The point is to channel tax revenues directly back into investments in new emission-free and renewable solutions in the industry.
An electric ferry paved the way technologically. But it is the growing number of electric ferries that make it a global climate solution and national business opportunity. This is the case for all types of ships and technologies, and this is where the Government must do a job. By actively using public procurement in combination with the remedies over, we can create early markets and build volume within all types of ships. In not very long all Norways about 200 ferries will be electric.
Norway can inspire other countries to implement politics that promote technology shifts.
Norway 203040 believes that while building electric ferries and other ships with emission free technology, we strengthen our own green competitiveness world wide. In order to meet the Paris Agreement Targets, all sectors must cut emissions towards zero before 2050. Maritime sector is no exception, and shifting technology in all kind of ships will take time. That’s why we need to start now.
Therefore Norway is in a good position, and can hopefully inspire other countries to implement politics that promote technology shifts. For not only can Norway create global spin-offs through green maritime technology shifts and cut its own emissions, we can also create new business development in one of our largest industries.
Norway 203040 is a business-led climate initiative with the mission to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and support the government in delivering on its national climate commitments by 2030. The coalition hopes to demonstrate, to businesses and the government, the business potential that exists in the low-carbon economy and help drive the transition.
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
About Bjørn K. Haugland, CEO, Norway 203040
From March 15, 2019, Bjørn Kjærand Haugland joined as new CEO in Norway 203040, a Norwegian business and climate initiative. He comes from the role of chief sustainability officer in DNVGL with broad international management experience and a genuine commitment to business and climate.
