Fredrik, you are the CEO of Echandia, a greentech company developing advanced and efficient battery systems for maritime applications. How do you see the speed of the transition from fossil to fossil-free fuels and what could accelerate the pace?
The pace of the transition towards reduced use of fossil fuels in the maritime transport sector will continue to increase, I am absolutely convinced of that. We see, among other things, that the EU and the IMO (International Maritime Organization, a UN body) are coming up with initiatives to reduce the use of fossil fuels in both the short and long term. Among other things, the EU decided before the turn of the year that for all maritime traffic (above a certain size) transporting goods and cargo, within and to and from Europe, the entire journey's CO2 emissions must be part of the EU's emissions trading scheme (EU ETS). Then there are regional initiatives, where Norway is one of the pioneering countries with initiatives for Norwegian-flagged ships and Norwegian waters. Among other things, the goal is for ferries and cruise ships sailing in the Norwegian fjords to be emission-free from 2026.

In this development, we see that battery technology is one of the technical solutions that will play a major role in accelerating the pace of the transition, and this in different ways. We are already seeing a move towards both hybrid solutions and fully electrified vessels, depending on the area of use, and this is a trend that will continue. We also see that the size of battery systems is generally getting bigger and bigger. At Echandia, we notice this through more business inquiries, from several different customers and for different segments. We also see that the size of the battery systems in the requests we receive is growing.

What major obstacles do you see in the future for this transition?
Looking back, the maritime industry is conservative, and there are explanations for that. Onboard systems need to be robust and work around the clock and in all weathers, whether in the middle of the Pacific or in port. The lifetime of a ship also plays a role here. With a lifespan of 25-35 years, it takes a long time for ships to be turned over and modern technology to be installed. However, we also see that regulations are having an effect and that many shipowners are taking their responsibility to reduce environmental impact, and often this goes hand in hand with reduced operating costs. Today, there are various solutions for the transition, where the installation of battery systems is one of the most effective and long-term solutions.

What is your view of the maritime transport sector in 2030 and 2050?
In 2030, there will be a mix of vessels with forward-looking technology, by which I mean vessels with reduced use of fossil fuels through hybrid solutions with batteries, as well as some older vessels with the standard we have had for the past ten years. In some segments, such as smaller car and passenger ferries, the majority of vessels will be electrified. We will also see that the ships that are built new in the future are more energy-efficient and have batteries installed.

If we look ahead to 2050, we will see a completely different picture. By then, the maritime transport sector that transports goods, passengers and products to and from the EU will be completely climate neutral. This will mean that we will see different solutions, ranging from autonomous vessels, to various non-fossil fuel and fully electric vessels. The all-electric ships will be powered by different on-board systems, from fuel cells to batteries. But one thing is clear, regardless of the hybrid solution in any form or all-electric, a larger battery will always be installed. And the requirements for battery installation will be higher than they are today, especially in terms of safety and robustness.