Jotun in Sea Zero Project
Jotun is Proud to be a Partner of Hurtigruten’s Sea Zero Project
Jotun, one of our Premium Members, is one of Hurtigruten’s Sea Zero Project partners. Sea Zero is a project Hurtigruten Norway started in the spring of 2022, and its ambition is to enable zero-emission passenger and freight transport along the Norwegian coast by 2030.
Together with 13 partners, including Jotun, Hurtigruten has been granted NOK 67 million from Grønn Plattform which contributes to research and innovation-driven green transformation and lower greenhouse gas emissions, and is managed by the Research Council, Innovation Norway and Siva.
With the funding, all the partners have planned to start the research and development part of the project early this year.
In conclusion, the Sea Zero project is an important initiative that has the potential to transform the shipping industry in Norway and contribute to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With the support of Grønn Plattform, the partners in the project can work towards a common goal of achieving zero-emission passenger and freight transport along the Norwegian coast by 2030. Through collaboration, innovation, and determination, the Sea Zero project can help create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.
The History of Hurtigruten Group
In the late 19th century, the 780-mile coastline from Bergen to Kirkenes was a busy route for transportation of goods and people, operated by all types of vessels. But services were unreliable, infrequent and ships rarely sailed at night, making a journey between north and south a long and hard one.
The authorities wanted to improve the situation and invited shipping companies to submit tenders for operating an express route between Trondheim and Tromsø, or Hammerfest, depending on the season. At that time there were only 28 lighthouses north of Trondheim, making nighttime sailing very risky. But the owner of a newly formed company showed an interest in the route despite the hazards.
This man was Richard With from Stokmarknes in northern Norway. In 1893, Captain Richard With’s steamer, DS Vesteraalen, was brought into service along the coast of Norway, and a regular sea link was established. The service offered weekly departures, at first from Trondheim to Hammerfest and later from Bergen to Kirkenes, the latter in only seven days. With named this important connection “hurtigruten,” – “the fast route”.
However, Richard With’s eagerness to explore did not stop at the Norwegian coast. His ambitions were significantly higher. As early as 1896, he transported a prefabricated hotel from the mainland to Svalbard. He placed it outside Longyearbyen on what is still called “Hotellneset” (“Hotel Point”). The same year, Richard With established the “Sportsman’s route” from Hammerfest on mainland Norway to Svalbard, serviced by the steamer DS Lofoten. Its captain was Otto Sverdrup, who later became Fridtjof Nansen’s legendary commander of the polar vessel Fram. This marks the beginning of Hurtigruten’s adventurous and unique explorer operations.
About Jotun
Jotun is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of decorative paints, marine, protective and powder coatings. The Group has 65 companies and 39 production facilities around the world, and 10,007 employees. Jotun is represented in more than 100 countries through own subsidiaries, joint ventures, agents, branch offices and distributors. Jotun develops products and solutions that solve customers’ needs for protection in a changing environment. Applying our first-hand knowledge and insights, we use state-of-the-art technology to solve the challenges faced. The Jotun Group is organised into four segments and seven geographical regions, and has its head office in Sandefjord, Norway.
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