Samskip’s SeaShuttle Joins EU HyShip Project to Advance Hydrogen-Powered Short-Sea Shipping

Samskip’s SeaShuttle hydrogen-powered container vessel project has been selected as the new demonstrator for the EU-funded HyShip project, supporting efforts to commercialise zero-emission short-sea shipping through liquid hydrogen technology.

The collaboration will provide a real-world demonstration of hydrogen-powered freight transport on the Oslo–Rotterdam trade route by integrating onboard liquid hydrogen storage with port bunkering infrastructure.

SeaShuttle to Demonstrate Hydrogen-Powered Freight Operations

SeaShuttle is Samskip’s initiative to deploy two hydrogen-powered container vessels, currently under construction for operations between Oslo and Rotterdam.

By joining the HyShip project, the vessels will serve as a commercial-scale demonstration platform, enabling the integration of vessel technology, hydrogen fuel supply and port infrastructure.

The project aims to address one of the key barriers to hydrogen-powered shipping by developing both onboard hydrogen storage systems and shoreside bunkering facilities required for regular commercial operations.

Building a Green Shipping Corridor

As part of the collaboration, hydrogen bunkering infrastructure will be developed to support SeaShuttle operations, helping establish a green shipping corridor between Norway and the Netherlands.

Jeroen Hollebrands, Head of Newbuilding & Projects at Samskip, said:

“SeaShuttle was created to demonstrate that zero-emission shipping can move beyond ambition and become a practical reality.”

He added:

“Through HyShip, we have an opportunity to connect vessel technology, hydrogen supply, and port infrastructure in a real operating environment, helping to establish the foundations needed for the wider adoption of hydrogen-powered shipping across Europe.”

LH2 Shipping to Develop Hydrogen Bunkering System

Norwegian company LH2 Shipping has joined the consortium to support the development of onboard liquid hydrogen systems and port bunkering infrastructure.

The company will work with Samskip on safe and scalable onboard hydrogen storage while taking responsibility for developing, constructing and operating the hydrogen bunkering system for the SeaShuttle vessels.

Ivan Oestvik, CEO and Owner of LH2 Shipping, said:

“The revised HyShip project marks a definite step towards applying liquid hydrogen in short sea shipping, building on existing technology experience whilst generating the solutions and operational insight needed to support future rollout and broader adoption across the sector.”

European Consortium Supports Hydrogen Innovation

The HyShip consortium brings together partners from across the maritime, hydrogen, research and regulatory sectors, including:

• Maritime CleanTech
• LMG Marin France
• sus.lab at ETH Zurich
• DNV SE
• PERSEE
• NCSR Demokritos
• University of Strathclyde
• Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding
• Diana Shipping Services
• NAV-Tech

According to the consortium, the project is intended to accelerate the development of practical and scalable liquid hydrogen solutions for maritime transport.

Tore Boge, Head of EU Projects at Maritime CleanTech, said:

“The market needs projects that reduce uncertainty, align partners, and make future investment decisions easier. This collaboration is strategically important because it helps build confidence in liquid hydrogen as a viable fuel for shipping.”

EU-Backed Hydrogen Shipping Initiative

HyShip is supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, an EU programme focused on accelerating the adoption of liquid hydrogen as a zero-emission marine fuel.