Abstract
Norway is at the forefront of a transition toward cleaner solutions in the maritime sector. In 2015, the first fully electric ferry, the MF Ampere, started operating in Western Norway. Since then, 60 electric or hybrid-electric ferries are in operation or scheduled to be by the end of 2021. With a few exceptions the literature on energy transitions sees transitions as disjointed and slow. Through this case study—based on 13 semi-structured interviews, two focus groups, as well as seminars, conferences and workshops with industry experts, public sector stakeholders, and project managers—we show how the Norwegian ferry case is an example showing that, under the right circumstances, energy transitions can however be politically accelerated, even in what is widely deemed a hard-to-decarbonize sector. This is one of the first attempts at analyzing the politics of accelerated transitions within the maritime sector. It is also one of few studies of the electrification of ferries, and at the end of which we suggest a set of success criteria for accelerated transitions. We propose four main explanatory factors: First, what we label the Norwegian ferry innovation system was instrumental in providing an environment conducive to electrification. Second, the Norwegian state acted entrepreneurially, by moving beyond merely being a de-risker through playing an active role in market creation and transformation through public agencies and support schemes. Third and fourth, we argue that the relative lack of strong opposing vested interests combined with an oil shock to create favorable conditions for structural change.