Hydro’s low-carbon aluminium and expertise selected for Arksen’s sustainable vessel project

The Arksen 85 “Project Ocean” is being built with aluminium from Hydro. (Photo: The Boundary)

(PRESS RELEASE) OSLO, 4-Nov-2020 — /EuropaWire/ — Hydro, aluminium and renewable energy company, has been selected by UK-based marine adventure company Arksen to provide low-carbon aluminium and aluminium expertise for its sustainable vessel design.

The partnership with aluminium producer Hydro provides Arksen with access to both rolled and extruded marine-grade aluminium and the wealth of Hydro’s experience in developing cost-effective, efficient and strong solutions for the marine industry. This helps Arksen with their goal of developing a fleet of more-sustainable vessels that are suitable for ocean research and conservation. The aluminum is made from a combination of process scrap and recycled aluminium, combined with primary aluminium. This offers a low-carbon alternative manufactured using renewable energy.

Olly Hicks, executive director of the Arksen Foundation.

“Arksen was created to accelerate the marine industry’s journey towards improved sustainability standards and the development of the world’s largest private research-capable fleet. This is enabled through the activities of the non-profit Arksen Foundation,” says Olly Hicks, executive director of the Foundation and a well-known adventurer.

The first vessel, the Arksen 85 “Project Ocean,” is being built at the aluminium specialist Wight Shipyard on the Isle of Wight in the UK. Construction began in October 2020, with completion scheduled for spring 2022.

When launched, the vessel will undertake cruises for research and conservation as well as make appearances at various marine trade shows and feature in publications over coming years.

Hydro is supplying aluminium extrusions and aluminium sheet for the vessel that are strong yet light and corrosion-resistant, making them ideal materials for marine applications.

“Hydro’s knowledge and experience has enabled us to better understand the material benefits both for the vessel and for the environment,” Hicks says, “We were impressed with how Hydro are working with their partners to deliver smarter solutions and for highlighting what should be the preferred choice in the industry. This is something that we want to help champion as well.”

The Arksen 85 “Project Ocean” under construction at the Wight Shipyard. (Photo: Waterline Media)

“Hydro is the aluminium company with the best products and knowledge in marine applications,” says Hilde Kallevig, Head of Brand & Marketing in Hydro. “This partnership with Arksen and their Foundation is part of our collaboration with forward-looking companies moving in a more sustainable direction, to communicate the importance in material selection and design in the global shift towards a more circular economy.”

Hydro entered the partnership early in the project, to provide Arksen with insights into optimising the aluminium construction and designing for recycling.

“Only a small percentage of boats in Europe are recycled,” says Hydro’s UK sales manager David Goddard. “Projects like this from Arksen are a step in the right direction for the potential of recycling materials in the marine sector. For this project we have supplied Hydro Njørdal, an alloy which is stronger and more durable than other aluminium alloys. This also permits an innovative light-weight design, which greatly reduces energy consumption.”

About Arksen

Arksen Ltd. is a marine innovation, technology and adventure company designing ocean exploration vessels that can be hybrid-powered.

Established with seed funding from Arksen Ltd, the Arksen Foundation is a non-profit whose goal is to increase the availability of sea time on vessels that are suitable and allocated to research. The Foundation provides project funding, facilitates cutting-edge scientific research, fosters collaboration across ocean education, advocacy and policy making and creates innovative media to inspire a greater understanding of the ocean ecosystem.

Media contacts:

Halvor Molland
Senior vice president, Media Relations
M: +47 92979797
E: halvor.molland@hydro.com

SOURCE: Norsk Hydro ASA