Elkem

Environmental & Social Information • Jul 4, 2022

Elkem commissions two climate-friendly ships for North Sea operation from NCL and MPC Container Ships

Elkem commissions two climate-friendly ships for North Sea operation from NCL and MPC Container Ships

Elkem has entered into an agreement with NCL (North Sea Container Line AS) who

will charter in two new container ships enabling carbon neutral operations from

MPC Container Ships to further improve Elkem's North Sea logistics. Enabling the

use of green methanol as fuel, featuring high safety standards and backed by a

strong business case, the new ships will enable higher operational efficiency

and more climate-friendly transport in line with Elkem's strategy. The agreement

will also enable NCL to become the first container vessel operator in Norway to

put methanol-powered ships into operations.

The two new-build ships will replace three of NCL's current diesel-powered

vessels, which will be phased out from operations. The ships, each at a capacity

of 1300 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), will be owned by the Oslo Børs

listed MPC Container Ships ASA (MPCC) in partnership with Topeka MPC Maritime

AS. Both vessels are expected to be in operation from the second half of 2024.

The new ships are also highly automated, enabling higher efficiency, and feature

several new safety measures to eliminate the risks of injury during operations.

"Elkem's mission is to provide advanced material solutions shaping a better and

more sustainable future. Our operations require a significant amount of

transport across the value chain, including sea transport as the most climate

-friendly mode of transport for bulk goods. These state-of-the-art vessels will

further increase our efficiency through increased capacity and can potentially

cut net CO\2\-emissions from 45 % up to 100% through the use of green methanol.

This contract with NCL and the innovative newbuilding project with MPC Container

Ships ASA is a great example of how operational excellence and sustainability

can go hand in hand," says Elkem's CEO, Helge Aasen.

Green methanol is a fuel derived from renewable electricity and captured CO2.

Compared to conventional fuels, it enables reductions of carbon dioxide

emissions to around zero, reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80%, and

eliminates sulphur oxide and particulate matter emissions.

Elkem is one of NCL's owners, with a 40% share. As part of its climate project

portfolio, Elkem is also exploring the potential for capturing CO\2\ from

Elkem's Norwegian plants and turning the CO\2\ into methanol for downstream use.

"We in NCL are continuously working to make sea freight safer, more efficient

and more environmentally friendly. This is in line with our initiative Sea

Change, where we aim to take the lead in making the whole industry greener,

quicker. The ships, and the partnership with MPCC, will boost a significant

amount of innovation and energy saving measures and are fully prepared for the

green transition. A key point for us is making it cost-effective for customers,

so that we make green freight the preferred choice. This agreement with Elkem is

a great example," says NCL's managing director, Bente Hetland.

CEO of MPC Container Ships ASA, Constantin Baack comments: "We are excited to

extend our selective fleet renewal with the two newbuildings in partnership with

Elkem and NCL. This newbuilding project is a proof of how innovative projects

that address the important green transition of the maritime industry can be

executed in a way that they are also economically attractive, if the right

partners join forces. Combining NCL's regional expertise and competencies and

the strive and commitment of Elkem and others on the cargo side with MPCC's

unique execution capabilities and in-depth understanding of intra-regional trade

and vessel designs has been the basis for this project."

The project has been awarded NOK 13.7 million by Enova, owned by the Norwegian

Ministry of Climate and Environment, and NOK 60 million from the NOx fund, the

Norwegian business sector's fund to reduce emissions.

Elkem is among the world's most environmentally friendly manufacturers of

silicon-based materials, and high performance on Environmental, Social and

Governance (ESG) factors are central to the company's corporate strategy.

The company recently announced a climate roadmap detailing how Elkem plans to

develop its business in line with the aim of the Paris agreement of limiting

global warming to well below two degrees. The company aims to reduce its total

fossil CO\2\ emissions by 28% from 2020-31 while growing its supplies to the

green transition - thereby delivering a 39% improvement of its product carbon

footprint in the same period. Elkem's long-term goal is net zero emissions by

For further information, please contact:

Odd-Geir Lyngstad

VP Finance and Investor Relations

Tel: +47 976 72 806

E-mail: odd-geir.lyngstad@elkem.com

Hans Iver Odenrud

Corporate Communication Manager

Tel: +47 958 16 230

E-mail: hans.iver.odenrud@elkem.com

About Elkem

Elkem is one of the world's leading providers of advanced material solutions

shaping a better and more sustainable future. The company develops silicones,

silicon products and carbon solutions by combining natural raw materials,

renewable energy and human ingenuity. Elkem helps its customers create and

improve essential innovations like electric mobility, digital communications,

health and personal care as well as smarter and more sustainable cities. With a

strong track record since 1904, its global team of more than 7,000 people has a

joint commitment to stakeholders: Delivering your potential. In 2021, Elkem

obtained a Platinum score from EcoVadis, which rated the company among the

world's top 1% on sustainability transparency, and the company achieved an

operating income of NOK 33.7 billion. Elkem is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange

(ticker: ELK). www.elkem.com