Norway bets on zero-emission ships. Enova backs hydrogen, ammonia and batteries

Norway's state fund Enova has awarded support for ten more zero-emission ships: six battery-powered, two hydrogen and two ammonia. Oslo is steadily building one of the greenest fleets in the world, and some of the new vessels are set to sail the Baltic too.

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23 june 2026   |   17:54   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. LH2 Shipping

Ten ships, three fuels

In its latest round, Enova, a state enterprise under Norway's Ministry of Climate and Environment, backed ten zero-emission vessels along with charging infrastructure for one of the projects. The money came under a NOK 1.3 billion programme (around $130 million) to seven companies, of which about $82 million went to the hydrogen and ammonia vessels alone. According to Enova, the supported projects are expected to cut emissions by more than 46,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.

Hydrogen bulkers from Bergen, bound for the Baltic too

The single largest beneficiary is LH2 Shipping of Bergen, which received NOK 344.3 million (around $36 million) to build two 7,700-dwt bulk carriers running on liquid hydrogen. They form part of the Strandbulk project; with this award the company is now developing six hydrogen vessels, with total public support for them exceeding NOK 800 million. The ships are due to enter service in 2029 and to operate in shortsea trades between Norway and continental Europe and the Baltic region; around half of their port calls are expected to be in Norway, and roughly 65% of their sailing time in Norwegian waters. LH2 Shipping's chief executive, Ivan Østvik, called the decision an important milestone for the company. The two ammonia tankers from the same round will be built by the fuel carrier Bergen Tankers.

Norway at the front of green shipping

Norway already has one of the largest low-emission fleets in the world: according to Enova, 112 emission-free ships operate from Norwegian ports, the highest such share anywhere. Money is behind it. Since 2021, when Jonas Gahr Støre took office as prime minister, Enova's annual budget has almost tripled, to more than $800 million. Regulation adds to the pressure: the EU ETS and the FuelEU Maritime framework are gradually improving the business case for zero-emission vessels, while in Norway itself cargo ships above 10,000 GT will face CO2 limits from 2032 when sailing in World Heritage fjords.

A market still in its infancy

The scale, however, shows how early this stage is. According to DNV, 119 orders for alternative-fuelled ships had been placed in 2026 so far, but LNG dominates (60 vessels), along with LPG and ethane carriers (50), while ammonia accounted for just four orders and hydrogen for one. The share of alternative fuels in total tonnage was lower by the end of May than a year earlier. That explains Enova's logic: without players willing to go first, and without public support, the hydrogen and ammonia supply chains will not get moving.

Why it matters in the Baltic

For the region, the direction is what counts. The zero-emission bulkers from Bergen are to serve Baltic routes as well, and the EU ETS and FuelEU apply just as much to Polish and Baltic shipowners. In parallel, the supporting infrastructure is taking shape around the Baltic, with hydrogen production and distribution planned at Klaipėda, among others. The question for Polish ports and shipyards is whether the region will build its own link in this chain, bunkering, servicing and shipbuilding, or import it. The Norwegian example shows that without a sustained public lever, green shipping will long remain a niche.

zielona żegluga statki wodorowe amoniak paliwa alternatywne zielona żegluga w Norwegii

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