H2 Energy and DFDS publish results of hydrogen propulsion retrofit study
DFDS’ freight RoRo Magnolia Seaways was used for the recently completed project to retrofit large ferries with hydrogen propulsion systems (Source: DFDS)
During the past twelve months, Denmark’s H2 Energy and ferry giant DFDS have worked on a project together to look at the feasibility of retrofitting large ferries with a hydrogen propulsion system. Now, the project has been finished contributing important information for further analysis on the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel for sea and road transport. The project was supported by the Danish Maritime Fund.
The transition to green fuels brings challenges for the shipping industry and is highly dependent on cross-sector collaboration, technological developments, research and innovation. Green Hydrogen can be produced with water and renewable energy only, and because of its high energy content, it has the potential to become a significant fuel source for ships.
Although hydrogen is not included in DFDS’ latest ferry newbuilding plans – two battery-powered vessels, two methanol-powered and two ammonia-powered – to be added to the fleet in the next six years, the Copenhagen-based operator will continue to contribute to the development and knowledge of hydrogen as part of the company’s ongoing analysis of possible net-zero scenarios for its vessels.
DFDS, H2 Energy and Lloyd’s Register set out to uncover the technical and operational feasibility of hydrogen propulsion systems by analysing the main aspects of a complete hydrogen ecosystem using DFDS’ 2003-built, 3,831 lanemetre capacity freight RoRo Magnolia Seaways, which operates between Esbjerg (Denmark) and Immingham (UK), as the focal point of the study. This included sourcing green hydrogen from H2 Energy’s large-scale production facility in Esbjerg, onshore supply and logistics, including bunkering; application of a hydrogen-fuelled powertrain, and safety measures.
Now, the project is finished and the study is concluded, the retrofitting of Magnolia Seaways with a hydrogen-fuelled propulsion system is technically feasible and commercially viable, under a set of basic assumptions.
