Zero Emission Propulsion Project to See Development of Hydrogen-Powered Ferry

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Monday January 16, 2017

Norway's Fiskerstrand Holding AS (Fiskerstrand) has announced that it is set to build an energy efficient ferry that will be powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology and utilise supplementary battery-power.

The company says the vessel's development is part of a project called HYBRIDShips, which is intended to build a knowledge base toward zero emission propulsion systems that offer longer operation times, and support different zero emission propulsion configurations for larger vessel types.

The news came as part of the company's announcement that it will be one of five recipients set to share a NOK 70 million ($8.24 million) research and development grant, PILOT E.

PILOT E is noted to have been established by Norway's Research Council, Enova, and Innovation Norway, and is intended to support new technology and services intended to support emission cuts.

Fiskerstrand says it hopes to have the ferry in operation before 2020.

As Ship & Bunker has reported, the Port of San Francisco is also exploring the possibility of supporting hydrogen-powered propulsion, and is looking into the development of a hydrogen bunkering station.