How to get financing to buy green technology from Norway

Norway has two major competitive advantages. The first is world-leading technology and expertise, particularly in shipping, offshore oil and gas, and other ocean industries. The second is a combination of reliability and quality – there is little corruption in Norway and Norwegian companies can demonstrate that their goods and services satisfy the most stringent quality requirements.

But there is a third competitive advantage that also makes Norway attractive to international companies. When an international buyer signs a contract with a Norwegian supplier, they gain access to secure, dependable financing backed by the Norwegian government.

Eksfin enables green and sustainable projects

The export financing solutions are provided by Export Finance Norway (Eksfin), which supplements commercial financial institutions. In a nutshell, Eksfin provides loans and guarantees to companies who buy from Norway. Although Eksfin often issues guarantees for loans provided by Eksfin, it can also issue them for loans from other banks and financial institutions. And the other way around, Eksfin can also grant loans with guarantees from other banks and financial institutions.

Eksfin ensures that ambitious projects featuring Norwegian technology and expertise receive the financing they need. Eksfin provides financing for export contracts of all sizes and can finance or guarantee up to 85 per cent of the total contract value. There are also tailor-made solutions for small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs).

Eksfin has provided loans and guarantees to a myriad of sustainable projects that would have been otherwise difficult to realise. These include shuttle tankers being built at Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea that capture volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions and use them as fuel; innovative solutions that increase mobility for severely disabled children in Spain; and large scale solar farms in Honduras and Ukraine that replace polluting power production.

Moreover, Eksfin has provided loan guarantees of nearly EUR 1 billion for the construction of 35 eco-friendly vessels over the past four years – including Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s most exclusive polar exploration cruise ship recently delivered to French cruise line PONANT by Norwegian shipbuilder VARD.

Eksfin: How does it work?

Let us say an international shipping company wants to install a sustainable solution on one of its vessels, such as a hybrid propulsion system or a ballast water treatment system.

The buyer, the buyer’s bank or the Norwegian supplier can submit a loan and guarantee application to Eksfin. Buyers may also take direct contact with Eksfin for advice on the most suitable export financing solutions.

The process from loan application to disbursement at Eksfin takes only a few steps and you can apply online. As part of the process, Eksfin assesses the buyer’s creditworthiness as well as the risk of political unrest in the buyer’s country. Eksfin also reviews the company’s profile when it comes to sustainability, employment conditions and corruption.

Norwegian exporters, too, can apply for a loan and guarantee from Eksfin.

What types of projects can receive financing from Eksfin?

Most major export contracts involving Norwegian companies are related to the ocean industries. It should come as no surprise that companies and organisations looking for durable, flexible and sustainable ocean solutions turn to Norway. The country has been a leading offshore nation for over 50 years; it is home to the entire maritime value chain; and it has a highly educated, tech-savvy population.

Eksfin has extensive experience in ship and maritime export financing and special expertise in maritime financing related to offshore petroleum and renewable energy.

Exports are not limited to ocean solutions – Norway also has a burgeoning health tech industry and solar energy industry. Nor are exports limited to tangible objects like heat pumps for waste heat recovery or systems for reusing batteries from electric cars. Norwegian knowledge and know-how are also sought-after. Companies turn to Norway to procure assistance in technology development and implementation, cutting-edge expertise or project management services.

Regardless of what you are looking for, if you have an ambitious and sustainable project, the Norwegian government has the financial mechanisms in place to help you to realise it.