The Thor Heyerdahl International Environment Prize was established in 1999 by Thor Heyerdahl and the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association. The prize is awarded to candidates who have contributed to the development or use of new technology that helps to improve the marine environment.
Deputy CEO Lars Jacob Engelsen accepted the award on behalf of Norled.
- We are very honored to receive the Thor Heyerdahl Award. We see this as an inspiration and a recognition of the quiet revolution that is now turning the ferry sector from gray to green at a rapid pace, and we are proud to be the spark that ignites this process. Our goal is to be a frontrunner and always have innovation as an integral part of our DNA,” says Lars Jacob Engelsen, Deputy CEO of Norled.
In its justification, the expert committee states that Norled is once again introducing a new type of zero-emission technology in the ferry sector. In 2015, the company introduced the first electric ferry MF “Ampere”. With a contract to put one of the world’s first hydrogen ferries on the water by 2021, they are accelerating the green shift in the maritime industry. The project is building new expertise and technology as well as operational experience and infrastructure, paving the way for other projects. The winner is honored not only for the ship itself, but for the learning and signaling effect.
- “We hope the hydrogen ferry will become an icon in the same way as the MF “Ampere”. We believe that it can contribute to green transformation in shipping and also beyond the ferry sector,” says Engelsen.
The expert committee particularly highlights the Norwegian Public Roads Administration for its role in promoting new low- and zero-emission technology in the ferry sector.
Norled also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between different stakeholders when developing and implementing new technology.
– For us, this is a recognition of the collaboration between the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, an impressive cluster of suppliers and ourselves. We are very grateful for both the courage and the high level of trust that makes these innovation processes possible,” says Engelsen.
President Lasse Kristoffersens of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association presented the award on behalf of the expert committee.
- By building one of the world’s first hydrogen ferries, Norled presents a possible solution to climate emissions and global warming, one of the biggest challenges facing the shipping industry. To realize the green shift, we need pioneers and collaboration across the industry. This award reflects the challenges of our time, and Norled is thus a worthy winner of the award,” says Kristoffersen.
The three finalists for this year’s award:
Norled is nominated for its hydrogen ferry. The hydrogen ferry will be one of the world’s first and will pave the way for the development of technology and better knowledge of safety, regulations and operations associated with hydrogen as a fuel.
Tara Expeditions Foundation is nominated for its expeditions conducting basic research and dissemination of information about the health of the oceans. The organization has carried out eleven expeditions to study the effects of plastic in the ocean, coral reefs and the impact of climate change on the ocean.
Silverstream is nominated for the development of air bubble lubrication for reducing the frictional resistance of large ships. The system reduces fuel consumption and emissions from ships.
The members of this year’s expert committee:
Thor Heyerdahl Jr.
Sissel Rogne, Director of the Institute of Marine Research
Jan-Gunnar Winther, Director, Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic
Nina Jensen, Director of REV Ocean
Jan Kjetil Paulsen, Senior Advisor Bellona
Esben Poulsson, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping
Jens Ulltveit-Moe, CEO UMOE
Emilie Christiansen, former President of YoungShip
Sveinung Oftedal, Director, Ministry of Climate and Environment
Jon Rysst, SVP and Head of Northern Europe at DNV GL
Gunnar Malm Gamlem, Head of Environment at the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (committee secretary)
For more information, please contact:
Marianne Frønsdal, Director of Communications at Norled on 95 12 93 83, or e-mail: marianne.fronsdal@norled.no
Benedikte Næss, Communications Advisor, Norwegian Shipowners’ Association on 95 23 13 32, or e-mail: bhn@rederi.no
