Export initiative for zero-emission passenger vessels in Southern Europe
'Norway has almost complete maritime industry clusters, and our companies can deliver major projects and end-to-end solutions. Norway's maritime industry is at the forefront of developing and adopting green maritime technology, and we have export-ready green maritime solutions that can help Europe transition to a low-emission society,' says Ada Jakobsen, CEO of the Maritime CleanTech industry cluster.
Major market opportunities in Southern Europe
A series of reports we produced in partnership with Maritime CleanTech in 2022 identified significant market opportunities for Norwegian green shipping solutions in France, Spain and Italy.
The project launched this week builds on these findings and will help Norwegian companies secure contracts in these markets in the following segments: electric high-speed ferries, sightseeing boats, autonomous shuttle boats, charging systems and shore power solutions.
The project will initially focus on the French market, with the potential to expand into Spain and Italy.
High Potential Opportunities
The project is part of our portfolio of strategic export initiatives, High Potential Opportunities (HPO), and is a public-private partnership with broad support from public-sector business support organisations and the industry itself.
The industry will take the lead, with Maritime CleanTech coordinating the project. Eight companies have already confirmed their participation, and several more have expressed an interest. Our offices in Paris, Spain and Italy will play key roles in the project, supported by our regional offices in Norway. Eksfin (Export Finance Norway) and the Norwegian embassies in France, Spain and Italy will also contribute. This is Team Norway in action.
Strengthened France office
As part of the project, we will strengthen our Paris office with maritime expertise.
'We already have a strong team in Paris, including an offshore wind specialist with experience from Fred Olsen, and we are now adding further specialist maritime expertise,' says Eli Wærum Rognerud, Head of our Strategic Export Initiatives department.
In March 2022, Minister of Trade and Industry Jan Christian Vestre launched the export reform 'All of Norway Exports'. Norway will adopt a total of five to ten major strategic export initiatives, with offshore wind and increased, greener maritime exports selected as the first two. Earlier this month, the National Export Council submitted its proposal for a green maritime export initiative to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (NFD).
'This will clearly become an important export industry for Norway in the years ahead, so we have made an early start on this initiative to keep pace with the ambitions of Norwegian businesses,' says Anne Britt Høydal, Senior Business Developer for the green maritime industry at Innovation Norway.
We encourage Norwegian companies with export-ready green solutions to get in touch with our office in Paris if you would like to learn more about the project and opportunities to take part.