Norwegian state-owned climate and energy fund Enova has awarded NOK 420 million ($44.5 million) to support 12 battery-powered vessels and two charging facilities.
The funding will support the conversion of existing cargo ships, construction of new vessels and battery-powered workboats for the aquaculture industry, Enova said in an announcement on Thursday.
The projects are expected to reduce annual emissions by around 21,300 tonnes of CO2.
The largest grant, NOK 235.9 million, will go to Hagland Bulk Transport KS to convert four bulk carriers to run entirely on battery power.
The vessels will operate along the Norwegian coast and to Northern Europe, becoming the first battery-powered bulk carriers to operate between Norway and other countries.
Each vessel will have 40 MWh of battery capacity and use a battery-swapping system operated by Zen, allowing depleted batteries to be replaced with fully charged units in port.
Kristiansand Havn IKS will receive NOK 15 million to develop charging and battery-swapping infrastructure in Mandal.
Operations are planned to begin towards the end of 2028.
Other awards include NOK 89.2 million for a new battery-powered cargo ship from Bulk Loaders and NOK 64.5 million for two aquaculture service vessels and a charging facility from Grieg New Energy.
