The maritime industry is undergoing a massive transformation, with ship buyers trying to figure out the best way to decarbonise their operations. Oskar Levander, Kongsberg Maritime’s Senior Vice President Business Concepts, discusses the complex subject of future fuels and their place in the future of the maritime industry. The debate about which fuel will be the future is ongoing. 

Ammonia is one option, and Kongsberg Maritime has been developing solutions. With our FlexBulk project, we begin working on five vessels powered by ammonia. With grants from the Norwegian Government’s PILOT-E scheme and partnership with Viridis Bulk Carriers, five bulk vessels are to be delivered between 2024 and 2025. 

These zero-emissions short bulk carriers could point the way to the future where commercial interests and environmental concerns meet. 

“The European short sea bulk market currently consists of some 3,000 vessels. However, the average fleet age is the highest of any major shipping market. With this in mind, massive new building efforts will be needed in the years to come," says Einar Vegsund, Kongsberg Maritime's Director for Ship Design Solutions, who has been heavily involved in the FlexBulk project. 

Another new technology we have developed is an eco-friendly gas supply system (FGSS) that uses liquid natural gas (LNG). These systems are being fitted to a new fleet of zero emission cruise ships such as the Havila Capella, which recently made its maiden voyage, including a crossing of the Arctic Circle.

New fuels are one part of decarbonisation; reducing emissions is another. 

Claus Hirsch, fleet manager with AG EMS, was faced with a tough choice: repair a damaged water jet on their 40-metre passenger ferry M/S Nordlicht or replace it with next-generation Kongsberg Maritime Kamewa S-4 waterjets.

Hirsch chose new waterjets, and that decision has already paid back dividends, with the company recording a 26% reduction in fuel consumption. The design inside the vessel has also made for safer, more comfortable conditions.

“You don’t have to go outside, onto the water, where everything is wet, dangerous and slippery. It’s all so much easier and safer now for our ship engineers,” Hirsch says in his interview, as he outlines the results of his refit project. 

Of course, innovation has always been central to our vision, no more so than with the unveiling of the HUGIN Edge. Its game changing features push the boundaries of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) delivery, with leading edge capabilities. In this story, Richard Mills, Vice President of Marine Robotics Sales, reveals how the new design is a departure from traditional AUV thinking. 

Going deeper, longer and carrying a larger payload of sensitive data-collecting sensors makes HUGIN the most successful commercial off-the-shelf UAV ever made.

We go behind the scenes and step back in time to talk with Jon Kristensen and Per Espen Hagen, the 'godfathers' of HUGIN. They have worked on the HUGIN project for over 30 years, but they are just as focused on the future of HUGIN as they were 30 years ago. 

New regulatory standards for vessel energy efficiency will take effect from January 2023 with EEXI and CII requirements both creating challenging timelines for many vessel operators.  

Here we also explain how Kongsberg Maritime has the expertise and solutions to help in a world of change. 

With so much going on I hope you enjoy the range of stories in this edition and, if they inspire, would warmly encourage you to share them among your own social networks to support a #SeaChange for all. 

Gunvor Hatling Midtbø
Vice President - Communication
Kongsberg Maritime