VARD and SINTEF enter into strategic partnership
SINTEF and VARD have entered into a strategic cooperation agreement to strengthen research, technology development and innovation in future maritime solutions. The aim is to meet the industry’s needs in the energy transition and accelerate the development of more energy-efficient, digital and competitive vessels and maritime systems.
28. August 2026
SINTEF is one of Europe’s largest independent research institutes, with broad expertise in maritime technology, energy, digitalization and industrial systems.
The agreement formalizes a long-term collaboration between two leading players with shared ambitions to contribute to a more sustainable, digital and competitive maritime industry.
Joining forces for the maritime transition
The Norwegian maritime sector is facing major changes driven by the need for emission reductions, new energy solutions, increased digitalization and rapid technology development. Through the cooperation agreement, the parties aim to strengthen the link between industry needs and research-based knowledge.
- SINTEF has expertise and research infrastructure that are highly relevant to the green and digital transition currently taking place in the maritime sector. It is therefore also natural for us to work closely with the largest players in one of Norway’s largest export industries, says Alexandra Bech Gjørv, CEO of SINTEF.
The collaboration will help identify and realize new research and innovation projects in areas of strategic importance to both organizations.
- For VARD, innovation and the ability to think in new ways are essential to maintaining and further developing a competitive and sustainable maritime industry. For us, it is important that the research we carry out together with SINTEF builds on our extensive experience and expertise in shipbuilding, and that it takes place in close collaboration with shipowners, technology suppliers, energy companies and authorities. The agreement with SINTEF is therefore a fundamental factor, both for VARD and for the continued development of the maritime industry,
– Cathrine Kristiseter Marti, CEO of VARD.
Five strategic areas of cooperation
At the signing of the agreement, the following strategic areas have been prioritized:
• Ship design
• Maritime energy and control systems
• Shipbuilding, outfitting and commissioning
• Cranes, gangways, launch and recovery systems, and deck machinery
• Implementation of artificial intelligence on vessel data
The areas represent an overlap between VARD’s and Fincantieri’s technological priorities and SINTEF’s interdisciplinary research expertise, and will be developed further in line with market needs and technological development.
Building on a long-standing collaboration
SINTEF and VARD have collaborated for many years in research, innovation and commercial product development through a number of projects with different technological focus areas and time horizons. The collaboration has resulted in a range of innovations that can now be seen sailing the world’s oceans.
-For us at SINTEF, it is just as exciting to work with VARD on eight-year research programmes as it is on a month-long model testing assignment. With mutual respect and trust as our foundation, we challenge each other and find new solutions that drive technology development forward, says Trond Vikan Johnsen, Market Manager at SINTEF Ocean and Director of FME MarTrans.
-Through the agreement with SINTEF, VARD aims to help accelerate the transition to renewable energy in the maritime sector. Innovation and development are among our core pillars, and together with SINTEF we believe we can help make a difference through our focus areas such as digitalization, electrification, energy-efficient designs and zero- and low-emission technology, says Håvard Vollset Lien, Head of Research and Innovation in the Vard Group.
The cooperation agreement will initially ensure that the existing collaboration between the parties is maintained and formalized. The next objective is to realize the potential created by interaction between new entities within the respective groups.
From the left on photo below:Håvard Vollset Lien - VP Research and Innovation at VARD, Cathrine Kristiseter Marti - CEO of VARD, Alexandra Bech Gjørv - CEO of SINTEF and Trond Vikan Johnsen, Market Manager at SINTEF Ocean and Director of FME MarTrans.
