Ulstein to Design Non-Fossil Fuel Containership for Norwegian Startup

Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein has been elected to design a non-fossil fuel containership capable of achieving zero emissions.

The contract was awarded by EDGE Navigation AS to Ulstein Design & Solutions AS. Edge Navigation is an Oslo-based startup that is in the process of developing commercial ships with non-fossil propulsion as the maritime transport seeks ways to decarbonize. The company has set a goal of brining “economic and scalable green-energy” commercial cargo ships to the market by 2025.

The design is to include Ulstein’s patented X-BOW.

“Energy efficiency will be a key component to making the energy transition happen and with Ulstein we have a partner with a strong track record for innovative designs, including their proven X-BOW® solution,” said Jakob Tolstrup-Møller, Managing Director – CEO at EDGE Navigation. “Less power needed per container under a wider range of operating scenarios due to the X-BOW will lower the bar for switching into Green Energy propulsion.”

According to Ulstein, the global containership fleet numbers today about 5,350 ships with about 24 million TEU carrying capacity and all have fossil fuel propulsion.

“This assignment is an ideal project for Ulstein”, said Lars Ståle Skoge, commercial director at Ulstein Design & Solutions. “One of our core values is sustainable growth, and in this project, we develop further the design of container vessels e.g. by using non-fossil fuel propulsion as well as the energy-efficient X-BOW hull design, to achieve the goal of green maritime transport”.

Tolstrup-Møller and Skoge have been engaged in talks about X-BOW container vessels for more than ten years.

“Container transportation is an integral part of the global economy affecting the daily life of all directly or indirectly,” said Tolstrup-Møller. “The energy transition will force a paradigm shift in the maritime industry as shippers / cargo-owners look to eliminate emissions. Consequently, we need to innovate by adapting and combining technology towards achieving zero-emission powering. Given the paramount need to provide for efficient use of energy, the X-BOW is an optimal design solution, and we are working very closely with Ulstein Design & Solutions now to develop an efficient design that allows for innovative green energy power solutions.”

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