Hydrogen-powered ferries to be classed by LR

A pair of hydrogen-powered ferries to be built at Norway’s Myklebust Verft for Tromsø-based Torgatten Nord will be classed by Lloyd’s Register (LR). The ships’ design was granted Approval in Principle (AiP) by the classification society in August 2022.

The 117m-long ferries, with capacity for 120 cars, have been designed by The Norwegian Ship Design Company and will operate in the challenging waters of the Vestfjordstrekninga in the Arctic Circle. With a service speed of 17 knots, the two vessels will use green hydrogen at least 85% of the time.

The ferries, with a biodiesel back-up, will each have a hydrogen storage unit on board to supply gas to fuel cells, creating electricity for propulsion and hotel loads. They will operate on Norway’s longest ferry connection – a distance of 278km - linking Bodø with the islands of Røst, Værøy, and Moskenes, the southernmost district of the Lofoten Islands. Carbon dioxide emissions on the route are likely to be reduced by about 26,500 tonnes a year.

Gjermund Johannessen, CEO of The Norwegian Ship Design Company, commented: “These hydrogen ferries are unmatched by any other ferries in the world today, with the largest hydrogen installations in a ship ever by a substantial margin … We believe hydrogen will play an important role for zero-emission short-sea shipping.”

LR’s CEO Nick Brown said: “These flagship hydrogen-powered ferries represent a significant milestone for Norway as it furthers its continuing commitment to clean hydrogen infrastructure. We see significant interest in green hydrogen as a maritime fuel, especially for short-sea shipping, and look forward to working with our Norwegian customers – Torghatten Nord, Myklebust Verft and The Norwegian Ship Design Company – to ensure this innovative project is progressed with safety, reliability and sustainability at its core.”