Eitzen Orders Two 900 TEU Electric Container Ships for Northern Europe Green Shipping Corridor

Norwegian maritime investment group Eitzen has confirmed plans to build two battery-electric container vessels as part of its strategy to advance short-sea shipping electrification in Northern Europe.

The order was formally announced during a ceremony in Oslo on June 12 and has been placed with China-based Zhejiang Dongpeng Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery within 24 months, followed by the second vessel three months later.

The project will be led by Zen, a company within the Eitzen Group focused on maritime electrification and energy solutions.

Electric Container Ships to Serve Northern European Trade Routes

The vessels will each have a capacity of 900 TEU and are expected to operate on a dedicated electric freight corridor connecting key Northern European ports, including Hamburg, Gothenburg, and Oslo.

According to the company, the ships will rank among the largest battery-electric container vessels deployed in commercial service and are intended to support lower-emission freight transport across regional trade routes.

Battery System Designed for Extended Range

The vessels will be powered by electric propulsion systems supported by battery packs exceeding 100 MWh in capacity. The batteries are being developed by a company within the Eitzen Group and will be manufactured at a facility in Tønsberg, Norway.

Eitzen stated that the battery system is designed to provide an operational range of approximately 500 to 600 nautical miles. The company also noted that the batteries offer higher energy density compared to conventional alternatives and are engineered to withstand marine operating conditions, including prolonged water exposure.

Focus on Commercial Electrification of Shipping

The project forms part of wider efforts across the maritime industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through alternative propulsion technologies and the development of green shipping corridors.

“Electrification is no longer a concept of the future,” said Fridtjof C. Eitzen, Co-founder and CEO of Zen. “It is becoming commercially viable today on selected trade routes. Zen is established to lead this transition and to build the infrastructure required to scale electric shipping.”

The initiative reflects growing industry interest in battery-powered vessels for short-sea shipping, particularly on routes where charging infrastructure and operational range requirements align with current battery technology capabilities.