System integration for a 8,4 MWh battery vessel

How du you give a bulk carrier from 1988 a role in the green transition? For Salten Shipping, the answer was to retrofit MS Caroline to fully electric propulsion.

The vessel will transport up to 720,000 tons of materials annually between Svelvik and Oslo – completely emission-free. By doing so, it will help reduce heavy road traffic, contribute to cleaner air in Oslofjorden, and support Oslo Havn’s vision of becoming the world’s most efficient and environmentally friendly urban port.

Salten Shipping’s decision to retrofit rather than build new reduces global CO₂ emissions even further, showing that extending the lifetime of existing vessels can be a powerful step toward sustainable shipping.

The project brings together Norwegian expertise – Marine Hybrid Solutions for system integration, Zen Energy for batteries, and Karmøy Skipsconsult for design and documentation.

With support from Enova, Canoline is set to become the world’s first fully electric self-discharging bulk carriers – a milestone for circular economy and zero-emission logistics at sea.

The conversion will begin in early 2026, with the vessel expected to sail emission-free in Oslofjorden later that year.