Norwegian shipyards may get a boost with Maritime CleanTech and Grieg Green’s plans for a circular value chain for shipping—from construction to recycling.
The world fleet needs comprehensive renewal to meet the climate commitments towards 2050, meaning significant new-building activities and dismantling of old ships. The international shipping organization BIMCO estimates that 15,000 vessels will reach the end of life in the next 10 years, doubling the number from the previous decade.
Vestland County has granted NOK 1.6 million to a collaborative project to ensure data-driven sustainability from the cradle to the grave for the world fleet. The groundbreaking collaboration aims to reduce waste and environmental impact while increasing responsible maritime parties’ competitiveness.
“Our maritime industry has a proud tradition and strong innovation capacity. By bringing together players from the entire value chain, we will develop sustainable solutions that not only reduce emissions but also give us a competitive advantage internationally,” says Ada Jakobsen, CEO of Maritime CleanTech.
Future requirements intensify the need for reuse
The EU may implement regulations for ships and maritime equipment similar to return schemes for appliances and electronics, where manufacturers are responsible for ensuring proper waste management. If so, shipbuilders must ensure that their decommissioned ships are handled in an environmentally friendly manner in the future.
Through the new collaboration, which involves actors from the entire maritime value chain, specific data tools will be developed to ensure more informed decisions throughout the ship’s life cycle. One of the tools, Grieg Green’s “YardScore,” will play a central role in evaluating and improving the sustainability of shipyard operations. It will provide actors in the maritime value chain with a way of ensuring that yards that build, repair, and recycle ships do so safely and environmentally friendly and that materials and equipment are reused to a greater extent.
“The lack of neutral and effective tools for assessing the sustainability of subcontractors and shipyards is challenging for the industry. This project will ensure such transparency while contributing to the development of a circular maritime economy with global impact,” says Pia Meling, CEO of Grieg Green.
Demand for “green” steel products will increase
There is a significant potential for reusing ship equipment such as cranes, interiors, machinery, and materials like steel and copper. It also applies across sectors; the increasing demand for steel products made from recycled material (so-called “green” steel) for offshore wind projects and commercial buildings is an example of how the project can contribute to climate-friendly growth in other segments.
“For Norwegian maritime companies, this is an opportunity to be at the forefront of future solutions and contribute to a greener and more circular global shipping industry,” says Ada Jakobsen.
