Torghatten Nord has chosen the Norwegian Myklebust Shipyard for the construction of two hydrogen ferries, which will carry up to 120 cars on Norway’s longest ferry route between Bodø and Lofoten. The ferries will be the world’s largest hydrogen ships, and will be bunkered with hydrogen produced in Bodø.
“At Myklebust we found an environment with high competence at a sustainable price. I am proud that we are making it happen in Norway, because this is a big boost for the Norwegian technology and shipyard environment. Together with the authorities, we are in the process of setting the standard for a completely new class of ship, with a world-class innovation and climate project,” says Marius Hansen, managing director of Torghatten Nord.
Myklebust Verft is based in Gursken south of Ålesund. The contract for the construction of the 117 meter long ferries means increased staffing and high activity at the shipyard for the foreseeable future.
“We are very pleased to have reached the goal of an agreement to build the world’s largest hydrogen ship, in close cooperation with the shipping company. Together with the maritime cluster in Norway, we will develop new knowledge, secure jobs and be able to take on more apprentices with this assignment. It will be exciting to deliver something that no one has done before us, says Leiv Sindre Muren,” CEO of Myklebust Verft.
The Minister of Transport is satisfied that the task of building the hydrogen ferries goes to a Norwegian shipyard.
“I would like to congratulate Torghatten Nord and Myklebust Verft on an important agreement for the Norwegian maritime industry. The government is concerned with sustainability, good pay and working conditions, the use of apprentices, innovation and local ripple effects in our contracts. The agreement shows that Norwegian shipyards are competitive, and it will contribute to building more expertise in zero-emission solutions,” says transport minister John-Ivar Nygård.
Passenger traffic with hydrogen over such a long and demanding distance has not been carried out anywhere else in the world. The design and technical solutions must take care of all the safety aspects for ferries that travel long distances in weather-exposed waters.
“There are no other maritime hydrogen projects internationally that come close to the scale and ambitions of this project. We have therefore prioritized spending some time on building a team of Norwegian suppliers with the aim of transporting the local population, businesses and tourists in a safe, efficient and comfortable way. It goes to design, safety systems, hydrogen production, and now construction of the vessels. It has been particularly demanding to get this in place in a market characterized by war and uncertainty in Europe,” says Hansen in Torghatten Nord.
The ferries will be delivered from Myklebust Verft during 2026. The suppliers of design, technology, equipment and hydrogen in the project are Norwegian, and the project also has close cooperation with the Norwegian Maritime Directorate and the class company Lloyd’s Register to develop procedures and safety standards for a completely new type of ferries .
“When we are building two large ships packed with new technology, it is desirable that the project is thoroughly worked out before the contract with the shipyard is signed. We have now laid a good foundation to succeed with the ambitions in the project,” says Hansen.
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