Norway creates wireless charging for ships

May 06, 2026

As electric vehicles gain access to charging stations on nearly every major highway, the maritime sector still faces a major obstacle: the lack of a reliable offshore charging infrastructure for electric ships.

To solve this challenge, researchers from SINTEF
 and Norwegian shipbuilder VARD
 have created an advanced inductive charging system that can wirelessly recharge electric vessels directly at sea.

The innovative solution uses magnetic induction technology instead of traditional metal charging plugs, helping vessels withstand the extreme offshore environment. By enclosing magnetic coils inside durable protective materials, the system eliminates many of the maintenance and corrosion issues that have long limited marine electrification.

The Ocean Charger project was initially developed for Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) used in offshore wind farms and Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) serving the oil and gas sector. However, VARD believes the technology could eventually support a large-scale offshore charging network spanning the entire Norwegian coastline.

“We explored several different solutions,” explained Giuseppe Guidi, Senior Research Scientist at SINTEF.

“We successfully tested a system that functions similarly to a standard electrical connection, but without the usual risks. By transferring power inductively and sealing the charging components inside highly resistant materials, we can protect the system from even the harshest marine conditions,” Guidi said.

Wireless offshore charging removes the need for metal plugs

Conventional plug-based charging systems are poorly suited for offshore environments because they are vulnerable to saltwater corrosion, mechanical wear, and costly maintenance requirements.

The Ocean Charger project addresses these problems with a fully encapsulated “plug-and-play” wireless charging system. Instead of exposed metal connectors, the technology relies on magnetic fields to transfer energy safely between offshore charging stations and electric vessels.

This enables offshore wind service ships and oil supply vessels to recharge while operating at sea, reducing the need for long return trips to port that consume valuable battery power.

“Movement, vibration, and wear make offshore charging extremely difficult with traditional plug systems,” said Håvard Vollset Lien of VARD, who leads the Ocean Charger initiative.

“Mechanical damage, corrosion, and demanding maintenance procedures significantly increase both operational risk and overall costs.”

The inductive charging design uses waterproof magnetic coils installed on both the vessel and the offshore charging station. Because the components are fully sealed, they remain protected from saltwater, algae buildup, and harsh weather exposure.

Researchers describe the connection process as similar to placing a cup into a cup holder.

“It doesn’t require perfect positioning when lowering the charger into place,” Guidi explained.

“It’s very similar to putting a cup in a cup holder — it fits regardless of orientation. The entire system is designed to be highly user-friendly and fully plug-and-play.”

Advanced power conversion enables efficient energy transfer at sea

Although the charging process appears simple externally, the underlying technology involves a sophisticated multi-stage energy conversion system.

Electricity is transformed from high-voltage direct current into high-frequency magnetic fields, which are then wirelessly transferred to the ship and converted back into stable onboard power for battery charging. This process allows energy to be delivered efficiently, safely, and with minimal losses.

Until now, offshore electric vessels faced a major operational dilemma. Ships often needed to travel long distances back to coastal ports simply to recharge, consuming a large percentage of their stored battery power during the return journey.

The Ocean Charger system changes this model entirely by placing charging stations directly on offshore wind turbines and Offshore Substation (OSS) platforms. This allows electric ships to recharge exactly where they operate.

Researchers have focused heavily on optimizing electromagnetic coil design, material selection, and intelligent energy management systems to maximize charging efficiency while minimizing power loss.

If successfully deployed at scale, the technology could become a major breakthrough for sustainable maritime transport, helping accelerate the transition toward zero-emission shipping and offshore operations.