The DIOL North Sea based consortium is happy to announce that the Norwegian GCE Blue Maritime Cluster has now formally joined the project.
GCE Blue Maritime Cluster (run by ÅKP AS (Ålesund Knowledge Park) is a Global Centre of Expertise since 2014 uniting 200 maritime firms, from shipyards and designers to equipment suppliers and research institutions. Its members include organisations focused on offshore energy (wind and oil&gas), therefore making it a perfect partner for DIOL. Located in NMK (Campus Ålesund), it drives innovation, sustainability, digitization, alternative fuels, cybersecurity and global competitiveness in advanced ocean industries. The majority of its member are shipowners, shipyards and maritime equipment suppliers, but ÅKP/GCE also has members that are involved in production of green energy carriers like Norwegian Hydrogen and Glocal Green (methanol) as well as actors involved in develop and scale the economy for plastic recycling and pyrolysis products (e.g. Recuro) and producing drones (e.g. Griff Aviation).
The timing for joining the project is very good. The entire maritime value chain is working hard to introduce renewable energy solutions and aon 03/07/2025 the Norwegian Environment Agency submitted for consultation a new regulation that requires companies on the Norwegian continental shelf to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of ships used in connection with petroleum activities. The new requirements are expected to lead to significant emission cuts and technological development, paving the way for shipping to reach zero emissions by 2050.
According to Jan Børre Rydningen, EU Advisor at ÅKP/GCE: "The reason for GCE Blue Maritime to join DIOL is that we believe there are common challenges related to requirements and availability of green fuels between the maritime and aviation industry serving offshore energy facilities, and that we could learn from each other meeting theses challenges
Within DIOL the new partner will specifically contribute to the WP2.3 activities, i.e. DESIGN FEASIBILITY OF GREEN FUEL STORAGE/SUPPLY IN LOGISTICS HUBS FOR SEA-LAND TRANSHIPMENT (electricity, bio-fuel, green hydrogen, ammonia). It will complement the existing tasks by establishing a framework that connects the maritime sector with the needs of the aviation industries and the expected use of alternative sources to green vehicles utilised in support of offshore energy parks and energy islands, e.g. helicopers, wind turbine installation vessels (WTIVs), service operation vessels (SOVs), cable-laying vessels, crew transfer vessels (CTVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), etc.
The Cross-Sector Study on Sustainable Fuel Crossover Between Maritime and Aviation. will analyze the potential for shared sustainable fuel infrastructure, logistics, and technology development between maritime and aviation sectors in the North Sea Region.
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It is worth noting that DIOL aims to directly address the THE ESBJERG DECLARATION on The North Sea as a Green Power Plant of Europe signed by the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands at the North Sea Summit in Esbjerg (DK) on 18th May 2022. The Ostend Declaration was signed also by the Prime Minister of Norway.The addition of the new partner in DIOL would therefore underscore the commitment of Norway to jointly implement projects in support of energy security in the North Sea.
The Ostend declaration was followed by the THE OSTEND DECLARATION ON THE NORTH SEAS AS EUROPE’S GREEN POWER PLANT DELIVERING CROSS-BORDER PROJECTS AND ANCHORING THE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE INDUSTRY IN EUROPE signed in Ostend (BE) on 24th April 2023 which added 5 new Countries to the original Declaration.
TRANSNATIONAL ADDED VALUE BY INVOLVING NEW PARTNER
CLUSTER INNOVATION. ÅKP/GCE represents one of the most complete maritime clusters in the world, based in Ålesund, Norway. Involving the GCE will enhance collaboration across the value chain and contribute deep technical and operational insight into maritime decarbonization. The cluster is focused on sustainable innovation, including green fuels, digitalization, and maritime energy solutions, that could accelerate development and deployment of new technologies and provide access to pilot projects, testbeds, and real-world implementation environments.
INCREASED PROJECT OUTCOMES & VISIBILITY. Like DIOL, ÅKP/GCE focuses on cooperation for sustainability. It also supports Zero-emission shipping, green value chains and circular economy efforts (e.g., ship lifecycle, fuel transition). By sharing know-how on novel practices and technologies for green fuels and approaches to renewable energy security, the new partner would strengthen environmental credibility and practical pathways to implementation, adding to the existing consortium´s expertise and regional perspectives. Since ÅKP/GCE collaborates with international stakeholders and policymakers, their inclusion could also improve international alignment and scaling of project outcomes and offer visibility and influence in European green transition initiatives.
ENHANCED NETWORKING WITH RELEVANT INDUSTRY. ÅKP/GCE bridges industry and academia with public sector initiatives. They could help secure additional resources, facilitate regulatory input and cross-sector cooperation, and last, but not least, their access to industry data and market analytics would support better decision-making in pilot and demonstration projects and opens for real-time performance tracking of sustainable technologies.