Team Norway is joining forces to increase the export of zero-emission passenger vessel solutions to Southern Europe. Together, Innovation Norway, Maritime CleanTech, Export Finance Norway, and the embassies will help Norwegian companies win contracts in France, Spain, and Italy.
– Norway has complete maritime business clusters, and the companies can deliver significant projects. Norway is a frontrunner in developing and using green maritime technology. We have market-ready solutions that can help Europe’s transition to a zero-emissions society, Ada Jakobsen, CEO of Maritime CleanTech, says.
Reports made by Innovation Norway and Maritime CleanTech in 2022 reveal great market opportunities for Norwegian solutions within green shipping in France, Spain, and Italy.
The project, launched this week, builds upon these reports, and will help Norwegian companies win contracts with these market segments: electric fast ferries, sightseeing vessels, autonomous shuttle boats, charging systems, and shore power solutions.
The focus will be on the Spanish market, with the possibility of extending toward Spain and Italy.
High Potential Opportunities
The project will be part of Innovation Norway’s portfolio of strategic export campaigns, High Potential Opportunities (HPO), a public-private partnership widely supported by the government and the industry.
With coordination by Maritime CleanTech, the industry will take the driver’s seat. So far, eight businesses have joined the project, and several more have shown interest. Innovation Norway’s offices in Paris, Spain, and Italy will be central to the project, which their regional offices in Norway will also support.
Export Finance Norway (Eksfin) and the Norwegian embassies in France, Spain, and Italy will also contribute. This is Team Norway in action!
Strengthens France office
Innovation Norway will strengthen its competence in maritime business in its Paris office as part of the project.
– We already have a good team in Paris, including an offshore wind specialist with experience from Fred Olsen. Now we’re strengthening the team by adding more competence from the maritime industry, says Eli Wærum Rognerud, Head of Innovation Norway’s Department of strategic export.
In March 2022, Minister of Trade and Industry, Jan Christian Vestre, launched an export reform defining 5-10 sizeable strategic export areas for Norway. Offshore wind and green maritime solution are first out. The proposal was delivered to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries earlier this spring.
– This will be an essential export area for Norway in the coming years. We’ve jumped the gun with this project to keep up with the industry’s ambitions, says Anne Britt Høydal, Senior Business Developer of Green Maritime Industry at Innovation Norway.
Norwegian businesses with export-ready solutions are welcome to contact Innovation Norway’s Paris Office for more information on the project.