The world’s first zero-emission wind and hydrogen powered cargo ship is scheduled to go into service mid-2024. The cargo vessel named With Orca was designed and built by Egil Ulvan Rederi, a family-owned business based in Trondheim, Norway.
The self-loading bulk carrier is 289 feet in length, with a deadweight of approximately 5,500 tons. The design focuses on energy efficiency to reduce fuel costs, with a specially developed keel and hull design. Hydrogen is stored aboard the vessel in compressed form for the hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine. The vessel also has small auxiliary batteries and a fuel cell on board to maximize flexibility. Wind energy is an added bonus for power. The two large rotor sails have a streamlined design and will be used for sailing in the open waters of the North Sea; the designed keel will help counter drifting and the batteries have the ability to store excess energy.
The North Sea is the vessel’s main sailing route. Two Norwegian industrial companies have agreed to share the vessel’s operations. The vessel will carry aggregates from western to eastern Norway for Heidelberg Cement Norway, and on the return voyages transport grain for Felleskjopet Agri. The two companies have a 15-year agreement for operation of the vessel.
The concept and ship-building project began in 2020. After a six- month competition with more than 31 shipowners bidding for the “With ORCA – Powered by Nature” project, the family-owned shipowner Egil Ulvan Rederi was selected among the stiff competition.
It is hoped that this project will generate further innovation and development in the shipping segment.
Image: Norwegian Ship Design
Egil Ulvan Rederi
