The municipality of Oslo has made clear that the Port of Oslo has a plan to become the world’s first emission-free port. The port also has a contract with the marine tech firm, Norled in order to switch three ferries to electric power, with the first being delivered earlier in September.
It was in October last year that Norled, as operator of the B10 Nesodden – Aker brygge connection, signed a variation order on an existing contract with Ruter to electrify three boats, the “Kongen”, “Dronningen” and “Prinsen”. The first boat has now been remodeled at Horten Skipsreparasjoner (HSR).
[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]
It is said that the current amount of greenhouse gases is estimated to be around 55.000 metric tons. What is more, the ferry sector is responsible for almost 40% of the port’s emissions with ferry routes connecting Oslo to Germany and Demark, while local ferries amount at around 12% of the emissions.
In fact, emissions are mandated to fall by 95% by 2030 and the port wants to see emissions fall by 85% until then and subsequently gradually continue until it reaches to zero-emissions.
Heidi Neilson, Head of Environment at the Port of Oslo was quoted saying that the goal to become the world’s first zero-emissions port “is very ambitious, but what is necessary, if we are going to reach the Paris Agreement.”
Earlier in the year, Port of Oslo signed a cooperation agreement with the Bellona Foundation with the aims to make the port emission-free and also distribute the lessons learned from this project to the international community.
In April, the Port of Oslo aimed to build one of the world’s most environmental efficient, zero-emissions working boats. The boat will be specially designed for efficient collection of waste at the water surface. Expected to be delivered in December 2019, the boat will be built by Grovfjord Ship Yard. The contract amounts at NOK 23 million.
The new electric boat aims to help keep the harbor clean, without polluting the air and reducing gas emissions. It will also provide a safe fairway for all ships and small boats that travel in the fjord, according to Port Director Ingvar M. Mathisen.