It is the subject of thought leadership with Oskar Levander, Kongsberg Maritime’s Senior Vice President Business Concepts. With reducing greenhouse gas and developing future fuels a priority, he predicts: “It is going to mean a massive transformation.”

Our FlexBulk project is the perfect example as we begin working on five flexible vessels powered by ammonia. With grants from the Norwegian Government’s PILOT-E scheme and partnership with Viridis Bulk Carriers, five bulk vessels will be built for delivery between 2024 and 2025. 

Find out why Einar Vegsund, our Joint Program Owner, believes, in addition to environmental benefits of the project, the long-term business cases are compelling.

Another excellent example is how we have developed and deployed an eco-friendly gas supply system (FGSS) using liquid natural gas (LNG). 

Learn how they are being fitted to a new fleet of zero emission cruise ships such as the Havila Capella which recently made its maiden voyage, including a crossing of the Arctic Circle.

“The best thing we have heard is the gratitude from the Havila Capella crew,” says Maciej Plocki, Senior Engineer Green Fuel Solutions. 

That kind of praise is something familiar to Claus Hirsch, fleet manager with AG EMS. They had a choice to repair a damaged water jet on their 40-metre passenger ferry M/S Nordlicht or replace it with next-generation Kongsberg Maritime Kamewa S-4 waterjets.

It was a progressive decision already paying back dividends thanks to the company now recording a 26% reduction in fuel consumption since. The design being inside the vessel has also made for safer, more comfortable conditions.

“You don’t have to go outside, onto the water, where everything is wet, dangerous and slippery. It’s all so much easier and safer now for our ship engineers,” he explains in a fascinating interview. 

Of course innovation has always been central to our vision, no more so than with the unveiling of the HUGIN Edge. Its game changing features push the boundaries of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) delivery, with never before seen capabilities. 

Richard Mills, Vice President of Marine Robotics Sales, reveals how the new design is a departure from traditional AUV thinking, promising: “It’s design with purpose.”

Going deeper, longer and carrying a larger payload of sensitive data-collecting sensors makes HUGIN the most successful commercial off-the-shelf UAV ever made.

For the first time, we go behind the scenes and step back in time to talk with Jon Kristensen and Per Espen Hagen.

Very much the gudfedre of HUGIN, they have not only worked on the project for more than 30 years, but remain just as excited about the further potential still to come under their expert team. 

New regulatory standards for vessel energy efficiency will take effect from January 2023 with EEXI and CII requirements both creating challenging timelines for many vessel operators.  

Here we also explain how Kongsberg Maritime has the expertise and solutions to help in a world of change. 

With so much going on I hope you enjoy the range of stories in this edition and, if they inspire, would warmly encourage you to share them among your own social networks to support a #SeaChange for all. 

Gunvor Hatling Midtbø
Vice President - Communication
Kongsberg Maritime