Norwegian duo unveil national project targeting end-of-life vessels

Norwegian shipping player Höegh Autolinersand Nordic Circles, a compatriot company specializing in the production of sustainable solutions for the reuse and upcycling of materials from the maritime and energy sectors, have launched a national projectaimed at ‘redefining’ the handling of decommissioned vessels.

As disclosed, relying on domestic technology, labor and industry, the two partners are to establish a circular value chain in which decommissioned ships are repurposed as certified eco-friendly building materials in Norway, without melting, without export, and with up to 97% lower emissions.

The endeavor, worth NOK 1.3 billion (circa $128 million), is reportedly supported by a wide range of domestic public funding instruments via the Green Platform, a scheme that provides funding for enterprises and research institutes engaged in ‘green’ growth.

Beyond Nordic Circles, which leads the consortium, several other players from across the value chain are involved: the Norwegian Directorate of Public Construction and Property (Statsbygg), the municipalities of Oslo and Bergen, Sweden-based construction and development company Skanska, the Green Yard shipyard, energy major Equinor, DNB Bank and research firm SINTEF. The main contractor will be AF Offshore Decom, the