LH2 Shipping has received additional support from Enova for the construction of two additional liquid hydrogen (LH₂) fuelled bulk carriers, the third and fourth in the series.
What are believed to be the first two LH₂ bulkers, also ordered by LH2 Shipping, received soft funding from Enova earlier in 2025. The major grant, totalling more than NOK 0.5bn for the four ships, is considered a strong signal for national and global maritime decarbonisation in this segment of the maritime industry where emissions can be achieved at scale.
LH2 Shipping is teaming up with Strand Shipping Bergen, part of the Vertom Group, to strengthen a long term ambitious, decarbonisation agenda. Strand Shipping is playing an active role in decarbonisation, combining local market presence with Vertom’s modern vessel programme and long-term customer partnerships, driving efficiency in coastal logistics while prioritising rapid emissions reductions. Vertom’s fleet comprises 117 vessels, from around 1,500 to 12,000 dwt, across short-sea and multipurpose trades. Strand Shipping Bergen has access to the full Vertom fleet.
Joergen Brandt, Strand Shipping Bergen MD, said: “Strand Shipping Bergen is fortunate to be part of the forward-thinking Vertom Group, and this project represents a new chapter in the pursuit of an environmentally sustainable future in shipping, as well as a significant step toward achieving zero emissions. We look forward to continuing our collaboration on this project together with LH2 Shipping.”
LH2 Shipping CEO Dr Ivan Oestvik added: “Strand Shipping Bergen with Vertom support is a significant player in short sea shipping, and our combined maritime experience and shared ambitions to develop and offer future-oriented shipping solutions enable us to take important steps to build and operate climate-friendly transport alternatives. Liquid hydrogen is a proven technology aboard Hydra, which is being built upon in the transition to zero emissions in the bulk carrier sector, and we are pleased to collaborate with a leading company like Strand Shipping Bergen. We are very pleased with this award and would like to thank Enova for the support so far from the pre-project phase and now into the construction phase for the first four ships in this segment. This enables us to accelerate the development of emission-free vessels in operation, whilst also ensuring ship operators and cargo owners staying ahead of increasingly strict emissions.”
LH2 Shipping has been developing ship concepts for several years and is now stepping up its activities and is currently developing a range of zero-emission ship concepts. This creates both a market for LH₂ production and shows that zero-emission maritime transport is both possible and profitable in the long term. These projects are considered ground-breaking and are intended to accelerate the transition to carbon-free maritime transport, without compromising good operations or safety.
Shortsea shipping has extended experience in the combination of fuel cells and batteries, where the two technologies are working together in hybrid systems where different routes and ship types provides different system combinations. Some routes can be operated 100% on batteries whereas hydrogen driven fuel cells can be added where range and charging issues are dominant
With foreseen charges for CO₂ emissions, the EU ETS, Fuel EU Maritime and upcoming, yet delayed, IMO scheme, the cost gap between fossil fuels and alternative fuels will be minimised. The business case for zero-emission vessels, and their operations, is expected to improve significantly, especially after 2030 when the CO₂ emission fees are further increased.
Image@ Zero-emission ‘NordBulk’ by LH2 Shipping, powered by liquid hydrogen (credit: LH2 Shipping)
