Norwegian coastal carrier K. Sætre Rederi is strengthening its low-emission operations with an order for a fully electric dry-cargo ship that will trade along the country’s coastline. The 70 m vessel has been contracted from Dutch shipyard Royal Bodewes, with delivery scheduled for March 2028. In parallel, K. Sætre Rederi has signed a long-term cargo contract with 7 Steel Nordic, giving the new ship committed freight volumes once it enters service.
The newbuild is planned to carry in the region of 3,400–3,600 tonnes of cargo. A 13.3 MWh battery installation will supply propulsion power, providing an electric sailing range of more than 270 nautical miles. This capability enables the vessel to operate without emissions on extended stretches of the Norwegian coast, drawing on shore charging facilities already available along its routes.
Åge Sætre of K. Sætre Rederi characterises the project as a notable technological advance for coastal shipping, pointing to the combination of range and cargo capacity as a key element in shifting more trades to fully electric operation.
The ship will be dedicated to transporting steel products for 7 Steel, including cargoes moving out of Mo i Rana. The arrangement supports the company’s ambition to maintain a logistics chain that emphasises the reuse of materials and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. K. Sætre Rederi and 7 Steel Nordic have cooperated over many years, with the vessel Rana Frakt serving this trade for more than three decades. The new all-electric vessel is intended to provide similarly long-term service on the same route.
The cargo ship will sail under the Norwegian flag, with crew employed on Norwegian terms. Haugesund-based supplier SEAM has been selected as the main contractor for electrical integration and the propulsion system. The design places strong emphasis on efficiency through an optimised hull form, refined hydrodynamics, and smart energy management solutions, all aimed at extending battery endurance and limiting overall energy use during operation.
