Norwegian Shipping Company to Build Fully Electric Battery-Powered Freight Carrier

Norwegian shipping company GC Rieber Shipping has recently announced a significant development in the maritime industry by entering into a letter of intent for the construction of a fully electric battery-powered freight carrier. The letter of intent was signed with Norwegian family-owned shipping company K. Sætre & Sønner, known for specializing in the transportation of bulk commodities and general cargo in the North Sea.

This groundbreaking initiative received support from the Norwegian government enterprise Enova, as GC Rieber Shipping’s subsidiary Polar Energy Shipco was granted funding for the construction of the specialized vessel. The project is part of Norway’s broader push towards zero-emission maritime transport, marking a significant milestone in sustainable logistics.

The vessel will be developed in close collaboration with freight owners GC Rieber Minerals and Franzefoss Minerals, both committed to reducing the carbon footprint of their supply chains. The project aims to showcase the commercial and environmental viability of battery-electric propulsion in coastal freight operations.

“This support from Enova enables us to accelerate the transition to zero-emission shipping,” commented Einar Ytredal, CEO at GC Rieber Shipping. “Together with GC Rieber Minerals and Franzefoss Minerals, we are proud to lead the way in developing cleaner, more efficient maritime transport solutions.”

The new vessel will be optimized for short-sea operations along the Norwegian coast, equipped with advanced battery systems and shore power integration to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution compared to conventional diesel-powered ships. GC Rieber Shipping aims to realize zero-emission vessels across multiple segments and gain valuable experience with battery-electric systems for broader adoption of clean technologies in its fleet.

“This project is a key enabler for us to deliver low-emission transport of salts and minerals,” said Per Gunnar Syrdalen, Chief Commercial Officer at GC Rieber Minerals. “We believe that a forward-leaning partnership between freight owners is the key to delivering net zero maritime solutions. The participation of our sister company and their leadership role make this project possible.”

“At Franzefoss Minerals, we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations,” noted Ingrid Hynne Hoem, Logistics Manager at Franzefoss Minerals. “Participating in this project allows us to take a concrete step towards more sustainable freight transport and aligns with our long-term climate goals.”