Emission-free steel for Norwegian supply ships

A total of 300 tonnes of steel, in two batches will be delivered by SSAB subsidiary Tibnor to Vestnes, Norway-based shipbuilding and engineering company Salthammer Båtbryggeri AS.

Salthammer has two Coastern 28eH supply ships under construction for AQS Rederi AS, a Norwegian maritime contractor supplying services to sectors including the aquaculture industry.

The manufacturer states that SSAB Zero has “near zero fossil emissions during steel production, without mass balancing allocation of emission reduction or carbon emission offsetting.”

Sustainability

When ordering new tonnage for the shipping industry much effort nowadays is put into adopting sustainable elements, the type of fuel employed usually being the headline feature as owners endeavour to pursue environmentally-friendly and efficient business models.

While the involvement of fossil fuels in the life-cycle process cannot be completely eliminated, the use of SSAB’s steel with “virtually no fossil carbon emissions” can perhaps be considered an important step to a greener solution for construction of the vessels themselves.

The theme of efficiency and sustainability is not restricted to the use of SSAB’s recycled steel for construction of the vessels however, the focus being on energy efficiency and design flexibility.

The pair, due for delivery in Q4 2025 and Q2 2026 are designed by Tomra Engineering AS and feature electric propulsion via 2,000kWh and 1,600kWh batteries charged with shore power enabling continuous electric use and a step to AQS’s goal of having an all-electric fleet by 2033.

Steel producer, Tibnor describes the product as “a great material for new generation electric-powered supply ships” and this particular batch will be supplied in 6mm and 15mm thick steel sheets with the first scheduled for delivery to the shipyard at the time of writing.

Modern fleet

The two new additions will join an impressive fleet of around 16 similar service vessels working in the fish farming industry along the Norwegian coast for AQS, a company established in 1991 under the name Namsos Diving Company, its area of operation stretching from Western Norway to Finnmark and occasionally, further afield in Iceland.

The AQS fleet comprises both conventional single hull along with catamaran-configured hull designs ranging from 49m length to high speed diving boats. Its largest service catamaran, the 26m AQS Heimdal, built in 2024 by Moen Marin is described as “built for the future” with a separate cabin deck that increases the working environment during day-continuous operations.

The Coastern 28eH design featured here, includes large deck cranes, powerful deck equipment and a bollard pull of over 25 tonnes, the pair equipped with an anti-heeling system to maximise crane capacity will be “well adapted” to 24 hour operation by minimising noise and offering comfortable cabin facilities for the crew.

The choice of vessel builder involves association with a company established in 1896 as L.H. Salthammer Båtbyggeri, the group today consisting of Salthammer Båtbyggeri AS, Salthammer Tresfjord AS, Tomra Engineering AS and Salthammer Sjøtransport AS.

“This represents an important step for AQS towards the realisation of our ambitions,” states AQS general manager Pål Anders Lauvsnes: “In collaboration with Salthammer Båtbyggeri AS,

we have developed two robust vessels that support our goal of having an all-electric fleet by 2033. The aquaculture industry is developing rapidly, and high demands are placed on vessels and crew. The new vessels will make AQS better equipped to meet the customers’ expectations in terms of quality, efficiency, climate and environment while at the same time ensuring the working environment, safety and well-being on board for our crew.”

Robert Moen, head of HSE, Quality and Sustainability at Salthammer Båtbyggeri AS comments “It is absolutely fantastic that the focus is on environmentally friendly zero-emission steel and that it is completely in line with our goals in innovation and sustainability. With this we hope that we can show that there are good and greener solutions in our industry.”

Meanwhile, with a hint to the wider adoption of its sustainable product range, Svein Johansen, sales director at Tibnor states: “It’s great to have Salthammer aboard on our journey toward fossil-free value chains. SSAB Zero is a great material for new generation electric-powered supply ships.”