By
Alex Smith |
The first renderings of the Scottish-led Hyseas III project, which aims to build Europe’s first sea-going ferry powered by hydrogen fuel cells, have been completed by AqualisBraemar LOC Group.
The double-ended ferry will have capacity for 120 passengers and either 16 cars or two trucks. It is being designed to operate on the route between Kirkwall and Shapinsay in Orkney, Scotland, where hydrogen fuel will be generated using wind power. The vessel will also be capable of operating at other ports where hydrogen becomes available in the future.
The EU-funded programme involves Scottish partners Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), St. Andrew’s University and the Orkney Islands Council, as well as Kongsberg in Norway, Ballard in Denmark, McPhy in France, Arcsilea in England, and global ferry industry association Interferry.
The next stage of the project will see the consortium seek feasibility approval for the designs from classification society DNV. String testing is also currently underway in Bergen, Norway to demonstrate the complete power and propulsion system. The full-size string test mirrors the load requirements of the new ferry on the route and will confirm power and fuel capacity requirements. The results of the test will be fed back to the team to be incorporated into the design.
The design is set to be completed in March 2022, at which point CMAL will seek funding partners to take the approved design to the procurement stage, which will lead on to the eventual tendering and construction of the vessel.
“We know that maritime transport remains the UK’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and our Hyseas III project will pave the way for the first seagoing vessel using purely renewable energy.,” said John Salton, fleet manager and projects director at CMAL. “Seeing the concept designs brings the project to life. The maritime industry has a key role in the global fight for climate change, and this project marks a step toward emissions-free marine transport.”