Image Credits: Eitzen Group Norway has announced more than $130 million in funding to help build 10 new zero-emission vessels, stepping up efforts to cut emissions from its domestic shipping sector. The funding, provided by Norway’s state-backed energy innovation agency Enova, will support seven Norwegian maritime companies that are placing orders for new environmentally friendly ships. The projects include six battery-powered vessels, two hydrogen-powered vessels and two ammonia-fuelled vessels. One project will also receive funding to build charging infrastructure. The latest funding adds to 22 other zero-emission vessels already under construction with Enova support, strengthening Norway’s position as the country with the world’s highest share of emission-free ships. Norway’s Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen said shipping is responsible for about 8% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions and that the industry must shift to cleaner technologies if Norway is to meet its climate targets. Battery-electric vessels received the biggest share of the latest funding. Zen, the shipping electrification division of the Eitzen Group, received around $20 million to build two battery-electric container ships. The company had also received similar funding last year for two sister vessels through Avanti, another Eitzen Group subsidiary. Zen recently confirmed it had ordered the first two electric container ships from China’s Zhejiang Dongpeng Shipbuilding. The vessels will each have battery systems of more than 100 MWh, making them among the largest battery-powered container ships in commercial service when they begin operating in 2029. Nordic Sea Concept received about $8.6 million to develop a fully electric cruise vessel for Norway’s fjords. The vessel will be fitted with a 20 MWh battery system, allowing it to operate without emissions in environmentally sensitive waters. Wellboat operator Seistar was award