SSAB Zero® steel paves the way for greener shipbuilding
At Salthammer Båtbyggeri in Vestnes, Norway, two electrically powered service vessels have just been completed. The ships are constructed from 300 tonnes of SSAB Zero® steel supplied by Tibnor. With the use of recycled steel, the shipbuilding industry marks an important step towards reducing CO₂ emissions.
The two new electric service vessels, recently launched in Bergen, Norway, were built on behalf of the Norwegian shipping company AQS Rederi. The vessels are of the Coastern 28eH type and are equipped with battery packs of 200 kWh and 16 kWh respectively, enabling continuous electric operation.
In line with the energy-efficient battery solution, the ships are built using as much as 300 tonnes of SSAB Zero® steel supplied by Tibnor. SSAB Zero® steel is produced from recycled material using fossil-free electricity and biogas, and therefore has a significantly lower CO₂ footprint compared to conventional steel.
- We are pleased to have the shipbuilding industry on board in our journey towards fossil-free value chains. The shipbuilding industry has great potential to reduce CO₂ emissions, and SSAB Zero® steel is an excellent material for this purpose, says Svein Johansen, Sales Director at Tibnor AS.
- The quality and properties of SSAB Zero® steel are on par with conventional steel, but with the added benefit of helping reduce the climate footprint of the shipbuilding industry. The green transition does not need to come at the expense of quality, says Matts Nilsson, Head of Sales for Sweden and Norway at SSAB Europe.
With increasing demands regarding the climate and environmental impact of shipping in particular, the collaboration between AQS Rederi, Salthammer Båtbyggeri and Tibnor is an important step towards a greener industry.
- Together with Salthammer Båtbyggeri, we have developed two robust vessels that support our goal of a fully electric fleet by 2033. The new vessels meet our customers’ expectations in terms of efficiency, climate and environmental performance, says Pål Anders Lauvsnes, CEO of AQS Rederi.
Likewise, Robert Moen, Head of HSE, Quality and Sustainability at Salthammer Båtbyggeri AS, highlights that the collaboration on the vessel development supports their ambitions:
- We are pleased to see investments in more environmentally friendly, emission-free steel, which aligns fully with our focus on innovation and sustainability. We hope that through this collaboration we can demonstrate that strong green solutions exist within the shipbuilding industry.
In addition to the battery packs and emission-free steel, the two Coastern 28eH vessels are equipped with large cranes, efficient deck equipment, and a mooring capacity of over 25 tonnes.
The vessels also feature an anti-tilt system that maximises crane capacity and are designed for 24-hour operation with minimal noise and comfortable cabins for the crew.
