Maris Fiducia, a Norwegian owner of bulk cargo ships, is embarking on an ambitious project to build a new fleet of low-emissions vessels for trade in the Baltic Sea and North Sea. The company's head of innovation and projects, Quint Vedder, revealed their plans during an interview at Riviera’s Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cell Conference in Bergen, Norway. The first phase involves the construction of five vessels equipped with dual-fuel engines, including biodiesel and hydrogen fuel cells, to ensure low emissions while operating in the Baltic area. With Norwegian Government funding, Maris Fiducia aims to build a total of 10 vessels, incorporating 10 fuel cells to power two Z-drive propellers, primarily focusing on operations in Norwegian waters and around Scandinavia. Although the availability of alternative fuels could potentially limit their trading scope, the company remains optimistic about the commercial viability of these sustainable vessels, hinting at potential future orders without state-backed financing. The success of this venture heavily relies on the establishment of hydrogen bunkering infrastructure in the Baltic area. Mr. Vedder discussed the partnerships Maris Fiducia is forging for the initial newbuild ships and future steps in their decarbonisation strategy, showcasing a proactive approach towards sustainability and innovation in the shipping industry.