Samskip Orders Pair of Hydrogen-Powered Short-Sea Containerships

European multimodal logistics provider Samskip has confirmed an order for two hydrogen fuel cell-powered vessels to serve its west European routes.

The company signed a shipbuilding contract with India’s leading shipyard, Cochin Shipyard Ltd, for the construction of the vessels.

When commissioned, the vessels will be among the first zero-emission short-sea containerships in the world, powered by green hydrogen fuel. The project is part of Samskip’s initiative to work with the Norwegian government green funding program aimed at emission-free transport solutions by adopting sustainable and innovative future technologies.

The vessels are expected to reduce 25,000 tons of CO2 per year in zero-emission mode and will achieve zero-emission operations in ports by using green shore power.

Samskip Group CEO Kari-Pekka Laaksonen said the initiative is an important step toward reaching the company’s sustainability targets outlined in its latest sustainability report. A key part of its plan to reduce CO2 emissions is through shipboard carbon capture, which Samskip plans to test on two existing vessels, the Samskip Innovator and Samskip Endeavour.

“We have continuously practiced what we preached because sustainability is in our DNA and we are invested in the future; the future for green logistics, our planet, our economy and in the next generation of seafarers and we are certain that this project will be a game changer,” Laaksonen said.

The vessels are designed by Naval Dynamics AS, which congratulated Samskip on the contract signing for the two SeaShuttle Container Feeder Vessels.

“The 2 vessel order is a milestone project for all parties involved as this is a true zero emission hydrogen fuel cell powered vessel,” Naval Dynamics AS said.

Cochin Shipyard Chairman Madhu Nair said the collaboration strengthens the shipyard’s position among the global league of early movers in sustainable green future technology.

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