HX Connects to Shore Power in Reykjavik

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) celebrated a milestone when the Fridtjof Nansen became the first ship to connect to shore power at Midtbakki Terminal on June 9.

While at the Midtbakki terminal, the Fridtjof Nansen will use renewable electricity from Iceland, thus minimizing emissions during port calls in Reykjavik.

“The availability of sustainable shore power at the Midtbakki Terminal in the Icelandic capital is an important step in our efforts towards more sustainable shipping. We are proud to be able to supply another of our expedition ships, MS Fridtjof Nansen, with emission-free power in the harbour of Reykjavik,” said Claus A. Andersen, director of fleet operations at HX. “Using shore power is an important part of our strategy to make our expedition voyages climate-neutral by 2050.”

Sigurður Jökull Ólafsson from Faxaflóahafnir sf. (Associated Icelandic Ports) added: “HX is the perfect partner as they have broad experience with shore power connections on the Norwegian coast, and we are very pleased to be working with HX to take this innovative development forward. The expansion of shore power capacity is an important step to further improve the air quality in our harbour. We hope to encourage other operators to do the same.”

The inauguration of the new shore power connection on June 9 was attended by Halla Hrund Logadóttir, the current director of the Icelandic National Energy Authority Orkustofnun, and the Norwegian ambassador in Reykjavik, Cecilie Willoch. Willoch emphasized the importance of this collaboration to drive the green transition further in the future, including between local authorities, ports, cruise companies, shipbuilders and the technology industry.

Fincantieri Signs Green Hydrogen Agreement

Fincantieri has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Enel Green Power Italia to explore and develop the use of green hydrogen for port operations and long-range maritime transport.

In particular, Fincantieri said the two companies will evaluate the possibility of collaborating both in the supply of green hydrogen to naval, submarine and surface vessels, and to industrial users within the port area, including the design and construction of the necessary infrastructure elements, including storage, where necessary; and in the design and development of a system for the management of energy flows, including the involvement of other companies from the respective groups.

Enel’s Eugenio Montale power plant in La Spezia (Liguria region) will be used as an initial test site for the activities covered by the agreement, thus launching a sustainable energy transition path for the site.

In the context of the energy transition, hydrogen can make a valuable contribution to the decarbonization of energy-intensive industries such as chemicals, aviation, maritime transport and non-electrified railways, provided it is produced in a sustainable manner, Fincantieri stated in a prepared announcement.

Enel Green Power is committed to the creation and development of projects for the production and use of ‘green’ or ‘renewable’ hydrogen, derived from the electrolysis of water-powered exclusively by renewable electricity. The Group has therefore started studying new business models that include the supply of green hydrogen for the decarbonization of industrial sectors, with partnerships and projects already being developed in Italy, Chile, the United States and Spain.

According to the two companies, this MoU may also lead to further agreements.