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Publisert 03/03/2025
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The ZeroKyst project’s final gathering during Aqua Nor 2025 was strong proof that the transition to zero emissions in fisheries and aquaculture is no longer just a vision, but a reality in operation.
Cluster work in practice
As the initiator of the ZeroKyst consortium, RENERGY has played a key role in bringing together actors from across the entire value chain. The idea emerged from the experiences with Karoline 1, the first electric fishing vessel, and through discussions with Erik Ianssen at Selfa about hydrogen as a propulsion solution.
When the opportunity arose with the Green Platform program, RENERGY took the initiative to sketch out the first concept on a whiteboard: a model covering the entire coastline, showing how a market for low- and zero-emission solutions in fisheries and aquaculture could be developed.
The first sketch of ZeroKyst
This sketch became the foundation for building the consortium.
RENERGY structured the work, organized the legal agreements, and allocated the work packages together with Selfa, which held overall project responsibility. The funding was distributed among the partners, and SINTEF was brought in with a dedicated research project closely linked to the physical development work. The effort was not only technical but also a motivational project: to prove to partners and fishermen what they could gain by taking part in such an extensive undertaking.
ZeroKyst is therefore a classic example of cluster work in practice, where RENERGY’s role as a facilitator has been crucial in getting a large and complex project off the ground.
Strong participation at Aqua Nor
At Aqua Nor, ZeroKyst gathered a full house for a technical breakfast. Project manager Erik Ianssen opened by emphasizing that although the project is now formally coming to an end, this is only the beginning of the work on zero-emission vessels.
The gathering showcased results from across the project: Plug Lofoten reported more than 100 GWh of shore power delivered, equivalent to 25,000 tons of diesel saved. SINTEF Energy presented laboratory tests of charging connectors in maritime environments, while SINTEF Industry demonstrated how operational patterns affect the lifespan of fuel cells. In addition, SINTEF presented analyses of energy use in twelve ports in Lofoten, highlighting the need for both hydrogen and grid adaptation in coastal communities.
Karoline 2, a technology demonstrator
A highlight of the gathering was the launch of Karoline 2, the world’s first electric Danish seiner. Built by Selfa Arctic, the vessel is prepared for hydrogen and serves as both a technology demonstrator and a learning platform for the entire industry. Although regulatory challenges and a lack of infrastructure are still slowing hydrogen solutions, the vessel marks an important step forward in the development of climate-friendly fishing vessels.
Project manager Erik Ianssen presented the new fishing vessel Karoline 2, which is prepared for both battery and hydrogen propulsion.
Industry, policy instruments, and politics
Several of the partners demonstrated how electrification and hybridization are already delivering benefits in operations and working environments. Enova presented figures showing that the number of battery-powered vessels worldwide has increased from 82 to more than 1,000, with one third having received support through Enova. From the Green Shipping Programme, schemes were highlighted that can help reduce the cost gap between fossil and green fuels, while the Directorate of Fisheries announced that the government will introduce stricter climate requirements for service vessels in aquaculture as early as 2025.
The gathering concluded with a political debate between Lars Haltbrekken (SV) and Henrik Kierulf (H), both of whom emphasized that a combination of regulations and incentives is necessary to accelerate the energy transition.
Henrik Kierulf (Second Candidate, Sør-Trøndelag Conservative Party) and Lars Haltbrekken (Deputy Leader, Socialist Left Party).
A necessary recognition
ZeroKyst has also demonstrated how challenging it is to drive radical green innovation when regulations and approval processes fail to keep pace. The project could have been larger and progressed faster if it had not faced so much regulatory resistance. The bureaucracy is too heavy, it slows progress, and it moves too slowly.
This makes RENERGY’s work all the more important. Our role is to build consortia like ZeroKyst and ensure that projects succeed in cutting emissions even when the road ahead is difficult.
ZeroKyst is coming to an end, but the journey toward zero emissions in fisheries and aquaculture continues. We carry the lessons and experiences from the project into new consortia and continue working to accelerate and secure a lasting green technology shift.