AQS Rederi electric supply ships to be built with SSAB Zero recycled steel

Salthammer shipyard in Vestnes in Norway is building two 30m electric-powered supply ships commissioned by the Norwegian shipping services company AQS Rederi, which will be built with SSAB Zero recycled steel from SSAB subsidiary Tibnor.

Electric supply ships

The two Coastern 28eH supply ships that AQS Rederi has commissioned will be used for fish farming tasks. Both vessels feature a newly developed design from Tomra Engineering. The ships focus on energy efficiency and design flexibility and will have electric propulsion and be powered by 2000kWh and 1600kWh batteries. According to the companies, the large battery pack can be charged with shore power and enables continuous electric use. The ships are due to be delivered in Q4 2025 and Q2 2026.

The partners state that the Coastern 28eH is a versatile supply ship with large cranes, efficient deck equipment and a bollard pull of over 25 tons. The ships are equipped with an anti-tilting system to maximize crane capacity and are adapted for 24-hour use through noise minimization and the provision of comfortable cabin spaces for the crew.

“This represents an important step for AQS towards the realization of our ambitions,” said AQS general manager Pål AndersLauvsnes. “In collaboration with Salthammer Båtbyggeri, 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.”

Recycled steel

SSAB’s subsidiary Tibnor will supply SSAB Zero steel made from recycled steel to Salthammer Båtbyggeri. These will be the first batches of SSAB Zero to be delivered to the shipbuilding industry. SSAB Zero is made from recycled steel and produced with fossil-free electricity and biogas – which the company states results in steel that is produced with virtually no fossil carbon emissions, and without the mass balancing allocation of emission reduction or carbon emission offsetting. Tibnor will deliver a total of around 300 metric tons of SSAB Zero steel to Salthammer Båtbyggeri in two batches.

“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,” said Robert Moen, head of health, safety and environment (HSE), quality and sustainability at Salthammer Båtbyggeri. “With this, we hope that we can show that there are good and greener solutions in our industry.”

“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. We will deliver the steel in 6-15 mm thick steel sheets, and the batch for the first ship will leave already in November,” said Svein Johansen, sales director at Tibnor.

“The quality and properties of SSAB Zero are equal to those of SSAB’s conventional steels,” added Matts Nilsson, head of sales for Sweden and Norway at SSAB Europe. “SSAB Zero can help the entire marine and offshore industry to reduce carbon emissions without compromising quality standards.”

In related news, technology group Wärtsilä supplied a hybrid-electric propulsion system for an 11,000dwt limestone carrier. The vessel was contracted by Montreal-based CSL Group with CCCC Shanghai Equipment Engineering and Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding. Click here to read the full story.