The King has visited Denmark and Norway this week in connection with the development of the hydrogen market in Northwest Europe. The last stop on the program in Oslo was a guided boat tour in the port, with the electric charter boat Brisen.
Port Director Mathisen and Heidi Neilson, Head of Planning and Environment at Port of Oslo, informed the King about the measures the port is implementing to achieve our ambitious climate goals.
“It was a great honor and pleasure to host King Willem-Alexander and guide him around the port. We have made significant progress in the green transition at Port of Oslo, especially with shore power. However, we will not reach our ambitious climate goals without close cooperation with the major ports on the continent regarding green fuels such as hydrogen. Therefore it is very gratifying that the King is engaging in the decarbonization of shipping,” says Port Director Mathisen.
“The King was curious and impressed by how much shore power and charging capacity we have here in Oslo. When he was told that we have shore power for cruise ships, international ferries, and local ferries, he asked: “Then you probably don’t have enough capacity to charge the vehicles that pick up goods at the port?” But yes, we do,” says Heidi Neilson at Port of Oslo.
First Green Corridor
In September last year, Oslo and Rotterdam signed a maritime cooperation agreement, with the goal of establishing a green transport corridor between the two cities. Port of Oslo’s owner - Anita Leirvik North , City Councilor for Culture and Business Development - participated in both the afternoon boat tour and a panel discussion at City Hall beforehand. The topic was green corridors.
“We want emission-free entry and exit in the Oslo Fjord and a green shipping corridor between Oslo and Rotterdam. To achieve this, we have entered into a cooperation agreement (MoU) with Rotterdam. The cities have close dialogue and knowledge sharing to facilitate faster transition and simplified processes. We also support innovation who contribute to green transport between our cities,” says Anita Leirvik North.
Councilor North wants to help break down regulatory restrictions.
“We know that regulatory restrictions can be a barrier, so we are working on several levels. I visited Rotterdam in May this year and participated in Rotterdam’s World Hydrogen Forum, and yesterday we had a working day with Rotterdam on these topics. Today’s meeting at City Hall is, in my opinion, an important follow-up to achieve the green corridor,” says Councilor North.
Innovation Stakeholders
The shipping company Samskip is currently building two hydrogen-powered container ships and plays a central role in this cooperation. SeaShuttle 1&2 are scheduled to be put into service between Oslo and Rotterdam by 2026, becoming the first green corridor between Norway and the continent. It is still unclear where the container ships can bunker hydrogen at a reasonable price - a prerequisite for establishing the green corridor.
“Optimally, fuel bunkering will be carried out simultaneously with loading and unloading operations in one or more of the regular ports of call. We are in dialogue with several producers and suppliers, both in Norway and abroad. We have a specific need that no one has yet said they will meet. But there are many who can if they want to,” says Are Gråthen, Regional Director for Samskip in Norway and Sweden.
Heavy investments are being made in infrastructure for hydrogen production in both the Port of Rotterdam, the Port of Groningen, and The North Sea Port. In Norway, Enova recently granted NOK 144 million for a hydrogen plant at Slagentangen in the Oslo Fjord. Port of Oslo is also investigating whether it is possible to offer hydrogen bunkering in the South Port.
Nevertheless, there are still barriers in terms of price and availability.
“That Enova and the EU are proactively supporting projects with start-up capital is encouraging and necessary. The solution lies in the respective boardrooms of those willing to invest in the green transition. It will force its way through whether one wants it or not,” says Gråthen.