When the first piece of steel meets the dry dock, something symbolic happens: the vision of a sustainable maritime future begins to take shape. On November 7th, at Cochin Shipyard in India, Samskip celebrated the keel laying ceremony for the first of its two groundbreaking SeaShuttles. This is a moment that represents far more than the joining of steel sections. It marks the tangible progress of a bold idea: building one of the world’s first zero-emission, hydrogen-powered shortsea container vessels.

The SeaShuttle project began as an ambitious goal to prove that clean hydrogen propulsion could work at scale in commercial shipping. Supported by ENOVA and developed in collaboration with leading maritime partners including Cochin Shipyard Limited, Naval Dynamics, DNV, Ecap Marine, and ABB, the project has grown from concept to construction in just three years.

Since ENOVA’s subsidy award in June 2022, the journey has seen milestone after milestone spanning from steel cutting in early 2024, to advanced engineering approvals, and now to the physical assembly of the vessel itself. Each step represents not just progress for Samskip, but a leap forward for the entire shortsea shipping industry.

Engineering the Future

Inside the yard, 60 massive steel sections are now being welded together to form the hull of the first SeaShuttle. Behind these physical structures lies a story of collaboration and innovation. Every system from propulsion to hydrogen storage has been meticulously designed, tested, and approved by DNV to meet the highest safety and performance standards.

Once construction is complete, the vessel will make its maiden journey from India to Rotterdam for the installation of its hydrogen fuel cell containers, a process that will enable fully zero-emission operation. These cells will generate up to 3.2 megawatts of electrical power, enough to propel the ship and power all onboard systems. Supported by a cryogenic hydrogen storage system developed by Chart and integrated by ABB, the SeaShuttle will demonstrate that emission-free logistics is not just a dream, but a deployable reality.

For Samskip, the keel laying is a technical achievement, but it’s also a reflection of the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability and innovation in multimodal logistics. Each stage of this project requires courage, precision, and belief in a cleaner future. Being a pioneer takes guts and commitment.

“Standing at the yard, watching the first sections come together, you realize this is no longer just a plan or dream. It’s happening right now,” says Jeroen Hollebrands, Head of New Building and Project. “These vessels embody years of hard work and partnership, and they show what’s possible when the industry dares to move first. The SeaShuttles will do more than reduce emissions; they’ll redefine how we think about shortsea logistics.”

Connecting Innovation and Greener Service

The SeaShuttles will operate between Norway and the Netherlands, serving customers who rely on reliable, fast, and sustainable connections between North Sea ports. By integrating this zero-emission service into Samskip’s multimodal network, customers will be able to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on efficiency.

It’s another example of Samskip’s belief that progress doesn’t mean customers have to choose between sustainability and service. Instead, it means combining both, intelligently and responsibly.

A Journey Still in Motion

Following the keel laying, construction will move swiftly: launching is expected in May 2026, with delivery later that year, and hydrogen conversion in Rotterdam in early 2027. By mid-2027, the first SeaShuttle is expected to be operational sailing quietly, cleanly, and efficiently across the North Sea.

Until then, each milestone will bring the project closer to redefining what shortsea shipping can be.

“Every weld, every test, every decision brings us closer to a future where sustainability isn’t an ambition—it’s a standard,” Are says. “And that’s something we can all be proud of.”

The journey continues and with it, Samskip’s unwavering commitment to a cleaner, smarter, and more connected logistics future.