Norwegian shipowner K. Sætre Rederi orders fully electric cargo vessel from Royal Bodewes

Norway’s family-owned shipping company K. Sætre Rederi has placed an order for a fully electric cargo vessel at Dutch shipbuilder Royal Bodewes, marking a further step in the electrification of coastal shipping in Norway.

According to a statement from Royal Bodewes, the contract has been finalised, with delivery of the vessel scheduled for March 2028. The ship will be built in the Netherlands and is intended for operations along Norway’s coastline.

Vessel specifications and deployment

The newbuild will have a length of 70 metres and a deadweight of approximately 3,600 tonnes. It will be equipped with a 13.3 MWh battery system, enabling an operational range of more than 270 nautical miles on electric power alone.

The vessel is being designed to transport cargo for steel producer 7 Steel Nordic, operating primarily on coastal routes serving Mo i Rana and surrounding regions.

Electrical integration for the project will be delivered by SEAM, a Norway-based supplier specialising in electric and hybrid marine systems.

Flag and regulatory framework

The ship will sail under the Norwegian flag and operate in compliance with Norwegian crewing regulations and labour conditions, aligning with domestic requirements for coastal trade. Commenting on the project, Åge Sætre of K. Sætre Rederi said:
“This represents a major technological breakthrough for coastal shipping. With this electric range, we can operate large parts of the Norwegian coastline fully electric without emissions, largely relying on existing charging infrastructure.”