Solstad Offshore has signed a cooperation agreement with Westcon Power & Automation for the development of environmental and sustainable technologies.

The agreement is expected to further the company’s aim to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Previously, Solstad installed green battery hybrid packages on seven vessels and enabled numerous vessels to connect to shore power.

Westcon Power & Automation provides hybrid and fully electric solutions. It assisted the company on these projects.

Solstad Offshore owns more than 100 modern vessels and is said to be one of the ‘largest, greenest and most capable offshore shipping companies’ in the world.

The company said it uses its fleet and expertise to provide the operational power, safety and reliability required to offshore energy industry partners to increase the operations with a lower environmental impact.

Solstad chief operating officer Tor Inge Dale said: “To reach climate-neutral operations by 2050 is an ambitious target.

“Year to date, we have achieved decarbonisation of 20% and we are continuously evaluating measures of improvement through our sustainability programme.

“This frame agreement is a stepping stone to reach our target, including UN sustainable development goals 13 – Climate action.

Solstad Offshore is headquartered in Skudeneshavn, Norway, and has nine branch offices in eight countries around the world.

Westcon Power & Automation CEO Gunvald Mortvedt added: “Our business goal is to be one of the leaders of green sustainable solutions for the energy and maritime industry.

“We are very proud to work closely with Solstad and we are looking forward to contributing with innovative solutions to lower the vessel emissions and reduce the footprint on the environment.”

In May last year, Norwegian shipping company Norled and Westcon reached an agreement for the construction of two new environmentally friendly ferries.