Transforming Vessels: Höegh Autoliners Pioneers Sustainable Ship Upcycling for Eco-Friendly Construction

According to a recent publication by Höegh Autoliners, the company has teamed up with Nordic Circles to innovate ship recycling in Norway. This collaboration aims to convert decommissioned ships into certified building materials without relying on conventional melting methods. The partnership, valued at NOK 1.3 billion (approximately USD 128 million), was unveiled during Nor-Shipping’s Blue Talks event and will focus on upcycling as many as eight vessels from Höegh, starting with the first decommissioning at AF Offshore Decom’s facility in Vats. This initiative is expected to cut down carbon emissions by an impressive 100,000 tons of CO2 within the construction sector.

Sebjørn Dahl, COO of Höegh Autoliners, expressed their commitment: “Our goal is to lead in sustainable deep-sea shipping and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.” He emphasized that this agreement not only promotes sustainability throughout a vessel’s lifecycle but also paves the way for a new green industrial era in norway.

This project marks a pivotal change in how Europe approaches ship recycling. While Turkey currently dominates large-scale ship recycling within the EU, this initiative positions Norwegian shipyards as viable competitors. Norway boasts seven EU-approved facilities capable of both decommissioning and upcycling ships; notably, AF Offshore Decom’s Vats site is recognized globally for its eco-kind practices.

John Jacobsen,CEO of Nordic Circles and Oppsirk,highlighted the significance of this venture: “This exemplifies circular economy principles—transforming what was once hazardous waste exported overseas into sustainable industry.” Nordic Circles specializes in converting ships and oil rigs into eco-friendly construction materials.The timing couldn’t be better as there’s mounting pressure on the maritime sector to adopt sustainable practices. With Norway owning one of the largest merchant fleets globally—accounting for about 45% when combined with EU shares—the potential impact on worldwide ship recycling could be considerable.

Support for this groundbreaking project comes from various public funding sources along with key industry stakeholders like Statsbygg and municipalities such as Oslo and Bergen. Major companies including Skanska and Equinor are also involved.

By tackling an urgent environmental issue—given that construction contributes around 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions due largely to steel production—this initiative not only aims to lower emissions but also fosters a new green economy within Norway and beyond.