The Norwegian Ship Design Company As

What The Norwegian Ship Design Company As does

The Norwegian Ship Design Company AS is an independent Norwegian ship design, engineering, and advisory consultancy established in 2019 and headquartered in Førde, Norway. The firm provides bespoke concept development, detailed engineering, retrofit design, and confidential advisory services — including route studies, energy and emissions modeling, capex/opex estimates, and public funding guidance — to ferry operators, coastal ship owners, and cargo companies across Norway, the North Sea, and the Baltic. The company's core technical focus is energy-efficient and low or zero emission vessel design, spanning battery electric ferries, hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen internal combustion propulsion, hybrid systems, and wind-assisted rotor sail propulsion. Notable designs include the NSD120CFc all-electric ferry (117m, 14-minute high-speed shore charging at up to 9,000 kW), the NSD120CFb hydrogen-ferry design — designated as the world's two largest hydrogen-powered vessels with 6,400 kW fuel cells each — the Bastø Electric (world's largest all-electric ferry at ~145m, 4,000 kWh), the 'With Orca' hydrogen self-unloading bulk carrier, and the 'Powered by Nature' rotor sail bulk carrier (NSD 105CC, 7,100 dwt).

The firm differentiates through independence from equipment suppliers, shipyards, and other parties, enabling objective technology selection. Revenue is generated on a project-by-project professional services basis through competitive tenders and direct enterprise engagements. Its customer base includes Torghatten Nord, Bastø Fosen, Boreal Sjø, Kragerø Fjordbåtselskap, Halten Bulk, Egil Ulvan Rederi, HeidelbergCement Norway, Felleskjøpet Agri, and Estremar S.A.U. The company is privately held with no external investors disclosed, has no subsidiaries, and operates a single headquarters location. It holds industry association memberships in the International Windship Association and Ocean Hyway Cluster, and has secured formal collaborations with Lloyd's Register, Hyex Safety, and Statkraft on hydrogen and wind-assisted propulsion projects. The firm received the Heyerdahl Environmental Award in 2021 for its role in the 'With Orca' zero-emission cargo ship initiative.

Name

The Norwegian Ship Design Company As

Legal name

The Norwegian Ship Design Company AS

Website

https://norwegianshipdesign.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Norwegian Ship Design Company AS is an independent Norwegian ship design consultancy providing bespoke low and zero emission vessel designs and advisory services to ferry operators and coastal shipping companies, specializing in battery electric, hydrogen, hybrid, and wind-assisted propulsion technologies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Engineering and Ship Design Services

NAICS

Ship and Boat Building (3366), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Project Management & Owner’s Engineering / Technical Consultancy (Spec Writing, Bid Support, Site Support) (IMAJAGAO)

Keywords

• Ship design services
• Naval architecture
• Marine engineering consultancy
• Vessel design engineering
• Zero emission ferries

Headquarters

HQ city

Førde

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ship Design and Engineering Services: The company provides bespoke ship design and engineering services including concept development, project development, detailed specifications, calculations, engineering from high-end to detailed level, functional descriptions and narratives, and risk-based development. Revenue is generated through project-based consultancy engagements with ferry operators and ship owners.
2. Advisory Services: Confidential advisory services including route studies, operational profiles, energy consumption calculations, advice on energy carriers and hybrid solutions, environmental footprint calculations, public funding advice, capex/opex estimates, cost benefit analysis, and life cycle cost estimates.
3. Retrofit and Upgrade Engineering: Next generation upgrades and retrofits for existing vessels, including battery electric conversions, hybrid system installations, and emission reduction modifications. Revenue generated through engineering and project management services for vessel conversions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

The Norwegian Ship Design Company AS is an independent ship design and engineering consultancy that delivers bespoke concept development, detailed engineering, advisory, and retrofit services for energy-efficient and low or zero emission vessels. The firm specializes in battery electric ferries, hydrogen-fuelled vessels, hybrid propulsion systems, and wind-assisted (rotor sail) propulsion, serving ferry operators, cargo ship owners, and shipping companies along the Norwegian coast, North Sea, and Baltic regions.

Product overview

The Norwegian Ship Design Company is a ship design and engineering consultancy offering bespoke design solutions for energy efficient and low or zero emission vessels. Their core offerings include a portfolio of ferry designs (NSD120CFc/Hinnøy, NSD120CFb hydrogen ferries, NSD 60CFe, NSD 50CFb, NSD 50CFe), cargo vessel designs (NSD 105CC bulk carriers with rotor sails, With Orca hydrogen cargo ship), and comprehensive engineering and advisory services. The company specializes in battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, hybrid propulsion, and wind-assisted propulsion technologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ship Design Services Comprehensive ship design services including concept development, project development with detailed specifications, calculations, engineering from high-end to detailed level, functional descriptions and narratives, risk-based development, and 3D modelling. Targeted at ferry operators, shipping companies, and ship owners seeking bespoke vessel designs.
• Advisory Services Confidential advisory services including route studies, operational profiles, energy and fuel consumption calculations, advice on energy carriers and hybrid solutions, environmental footprint calculations, public funding advice, capex/opex estimates, cost benefit analysis, and life cycle cost estimates. Targeted at ferry operators and ship owners.
• Retrofit and Upgrade Engineering Services Next generation upgrades and retrofits for existing vessels, including battery electric conversions, hybrid system installations, and emission reduction modifications. Delivered through engineering and project management services for vessel conversions.
• Hinnøy (NSD120CFc) Electric Ferry Design Double-ended all-electric ferry design (designation NSD120CFc) with 117m length, 120-vehicle and 399-passenger capacity, designed as a Zero Emission Vessel for exposed waters. Features two completely independent propulsion and power systems with high-capacity batteries and 14-minute rapid shore charging. Designed for Torghatten Nord for the Bognes-Lødingen route.
• NSD120CFb Hydrogen-Fuelled Ferry Design World's largest hydrogen-powered ferry design (designation NSD120CFb), 117m long with capacity for 120 cars and 599 passengers. Each vessel features 6400 kW of fuel cells with auxiliary systems, closed car decks, and special hull design for exposed waters. Multi-hybrid propulsion with hydrogen-electric as primary mode and diesel-electric as secondary mode. Designed for Torghatten Nord for the Vestfjorden route.
• NSD 105CC Bulk Carrier Design 'Powered by Nature' low-emission self-discharging bulk carrier design of 7,100 dwt featuring rotor sails for wind-assisted propulsion and hybrid-electric propulsion system with shaft generator and battery pack. Designed for Halten Bulk for sustainable coastal cargo transport.
• NSD 60CFe Electric Ferry Design Emission-free electric ferry design, 76.85m long with capacity for 202 passengers and 60 vehicles. Battery capacity of 1960 kWh. Designed for Torghatten Nord to operate on the Festvåg-Misten route connecting Bodø and Kjerringøy in Nordland.
• NSD 50CFb Electric Ferry Design Electric ferry design 73m long with capacity for 50 vehicles and 199 passengers. Features fully enclosed car deck for harsh Arctic conditions. Designed to operate between Svolvær and Skrova in Lofoten.
• NSD 50CFe Electric Ferry Design Electric ferry design with capacity for 50 vehicles and 149 passengers. Designed to operate on the Stornes-Bjørnerå route in Northern Norway, to be built at Remontowa Shipyard SA in Poland.
• With Orca Hydrogen Cargo Ship Design World's first hydrogen-powered zero emission cargo ship design, approximately 88m self-unloading bulk vessel with 5,500 tonne deadweight. Powered by hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine supplemented by two large rotor sails and fuel cell system for low load conditions. Designed for Egil Ulvan Rederi to carry aggregates and grain between western and eastern Norway.

Quantifiable outcome

• 26,500 tonnes annual CO2 reduction from Vestfjorden hydrogen ferries
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Torghatten NordflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2024Long-standing strategic partnership for hydrogen-fuelled and electric ferry projects. The company has worked with Torghatten Nord since 2019 on the Vestfjorden hydrogen ferry project, developing the world's largest hydrogen-powered vessels (117m, 6400 kW fuel cells). Also collaborated on multiple battery electric ferry designs including Hinnøy for Bognes-Lødingen route. The partnership includes extensive safety analyses, Hazid processes, preliminary approvals, and model tests.
• Halten Bulk / Egil Ulvan RederiflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 November 2022Close cooperation on 'Powered by Nature' concept developing vessels that derive energy directly from nature through rotor sails. Long-term relationship resulting in multiple vessels including hydrogen-fuelled bulk carriers. Key personnel from both companies have together developed and delivered a double-digit number of vessels.
• Hyex SafetycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 August 2022Hydrogen safety experts participating in comprehensive HAZID (Hazard Identification) processes for Norwegian Ship Design's hydrogen-fuelled ferry projects. Ensures equivalent safety levels as on modern diesel powered ferries.
• Lloyd's RegistercoreTechnology or Integration · 1 March 2022Lloyd's Register awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to hydrogen-fuelled vessel projects designed by Norwegian Ship Design, including the Vestfjorden hydrogen ferries and the 'With Orca' zero emission bulk carrier. LR conducts risk-based HAZID certification and provides class society services for complex hydrogen projects.
• Ocean Hyway ClusterminorOthers · 23 February 2022Norway's leading network for hydrogen-based solutions for the maritime sector. Norwegian Ship Design joined to support the cluster's role as a driving force for hydrogen as a maritime fuel and to expand horizons in the green shift to sustainability.
• International Windship Association (IWSA)minorOthers · 22 April 2021Norwegian Ship Design became a full member of IWSA, a not-for-profit association with the primary objective to facilitate and promote wind propulsion for commercial shipping worldwide. The company firmly believes wind propulsion will play an important part in decarbonizing shipping.
• StatkraftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydrogen supplier for the 'With Orca' zero emission cargo ship project, providing green hydrogen for the vessel's fuel cell and internal combustion engine systems.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Lloyd's Register Maritime Decarbonisation: Global classification society awarding Approval in Principle (AiP) to vessel designs including hydrogen-powered ships. Comparable as an enabler/standards-setter that the firm works closely with, rather than a direct design competitor.
• DNV Maritime: Norway-headquartered classification society and maritime advisory providing standards, certification, and advisory services for ship design including hydrogen safety guidance. Comparable as an enabler/advisor to green shipping projects rather than a design competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Havyard Design & Solutions: Norwegian maritime group offering ship design services alongside shipbuilding. Comparable as a Norwegian vessel designer serving commercial marine markets, though broader in scope including own shipyard operations.
• Wärtsilä Marine Power: Global marine engineering company providing propulsion systems, hybrid solutions, and decarbonization services for shipping. Comparable as a green shipping solutions provider but operating at much larger scale across the marine ecosystem including equipment supply.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Major Norwegian marine technology supplier with engineering, propulsion, and autonomous vessel capabilities. Comparable as a Norwegian maritime technology provider pursuing green shipping solutions, though much broader in scope including equipment manufacturing.
• Vard Design (Fincantieri): Large Norwegian-originated ship design house now part of Fincantieri group, specializing in offshore, fishing, and specialized vessels. Comparable in vessel design capabilities for commercial marine operators but with much broader portfolio and yard ownership.

Direct peers

• Ulstein Design & Solutions: Norwegian ship design firm with deep expertise in specialized vessels, including offshore service vessels and increasingly in green shipping solutions. Comparable as a design consultancy focused on advanced vessel concepts for demanding operating profiles.
• Multi Maritime: Norway-based independent ship design and engineering consultancy with similar focus on advanced vessel designs. Highly comparable as a Norwegian naval architecture firm serving commercial ferry and offshore clients with bespoke design services.
• Solstad Maritime Design (Solship): Norwegian ship design company specializing in offshore and specialized vessels. Comparable as a Norway-headquartered independent design house providing naval architecture services to commercial marine operators.
• Odfjell OceanConsult: Norway-based ship design and marine engineering consultancy offering naval architecture and engineering services. Comparable as an independent Norwegian design house serving commercial shipping operators with bespoke vessel solutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Norwegian Ship Design Company As