Bibby Marine takes Nor-Shipping 2025’s Next Generation Ship Award for its eCSOV vessels, img src: https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/06/10/nor-shipping-2025-reveals-winners-of-coveted-next-generation-ship-and-ocean-solutions-awards/
Green Waves: Bibby Marine’s eCSOV and bound4blue’s eSAIL Win Big at Nor‑Shipping 2025
At the 60th Nor‑Shipping conference in Oslo and Lillestrøm (June 2–6, 2025), two breakthrough maritime technologies stole the spotlight during the prestigious Next‑Generation Ship Award and Ocean Solutions Award ceremonies at the Ocean Leadership Conference.
Bibby Marine’s eCSOV: Next‑Generation Ship Award
Bibby Marine’s revolutionary eCSOV hybrid vessels took home the Next‑Generation Ship Award, outperforming stiff competition from Windcat, Solvang Shipping, NYK, and Samskip. These vessels, purpose-built for offshore wind farm service, boast the largest battery banks ever installed on a DP2 ship, with nearly 25 MW of Corvus battery power. They can charge directly from wind turbines and switch to clean methanol for offshore operations—significant strides toward zero-emission support services.
bound4blue’s eSAIL: Ocean Solutions Award
The winner of the Ocean Solutions Award, bound4blue, impressed judges with its eSAIL suction-sail technology. These deployable rigid sails reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by harnessing wind power. The units are easy to install, highly autonomous, and compatible with diverse vessel types.
Nor‑Shipping director Sidsel Norvik praised both innovations: “fantastic examples of what it means to be future‑proof,”—emphasizing their role in steering maritime toward cleaner, smarter, collaborative operations.
Why it matters
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Sustainable transformation: The eCSOV represents a major leap in decarbonising offshore operations with hybrid electric and clean methanol propulsion.
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Fuel efficiency gains: eSAIL offers shipping companies a rapid, modular option to slash emissions—projected fuel savings are around 10% on retrofitted vessels.
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Scalable tech: Both systems are adaptable—eCSOV models for new builds, eSAIL units easily retrofittable across ship types.
Bibby Marine’s eCSOV and bound4blue’s eSAIL technologies are more than ceremonial winners—they are tangible milestones in maritime’s sustainability journey. Their recognition at Nor‑Shipping 2025 highlights not just innovation, but commercial viability and real-world impact, marking a win for the planet—and the industry’s future.
