Wilhelmsen’s Topeka hydrogen project awarded NOK 219 million

The Topeka project revolves around the construction of two ro-ro vessels servicing the short sea segment.

Wilhelmsen’s Topeka hydrogen project awarded NOK 219 million
Photo: NorSea

The Wilhelmsen led project, to construct the world’s first zero emission hydrogen vessels, has been awarded 219 million Norwegian kroner (MUSD 25) by the Norwegian government-owned organisation Enova.

These funds will enable Wilhelmsen to further develop the technology and additional infrastructure required to support the maritime industry’s ambitions towards zero emission fuels.

Senior Vice President, Industrial Investments at Wilhelmsen, Jan Eyvin Wang, says:

“The funds from Enova are a pivotal step in making Topeka happen, and an important milestone for the maritime industry and for Norway as a nation when considering hydrogen as a fuel.”

CEO for Enova, Nils Kristian Nakstad, says:

“To reach our ambitions for zero emission ocean transport, new technology has to be developed. Batteries cover many needs but not all. This means the introduction and usage of zero emission energy carriers such as hydrogen is crucial.”

The Topeka project revolves around the construction of two ro-ro vessels servicing the short sea segment. The vessels will, amongst other tasks, move goods between offshore supply bases along the Norwegian west coast. In addition, the Topeka vessels will transport hydrogen to different filling stations where local ferries and other vessels as well as land transport will have hydrogen as a ready-to-use fuel. 

Jan Eyvin Wang says:

“With this new funding, our vision of hydrogen vessels and infrastructure supporting various industries along the coast is much closer to becoming a reality and that is enormously exciting.”