Bureau Veritas to class its first hydrogen-powered hybrids

Norwegian shipowner Møre Sjø has chosen Bureau Veritas (BV) to class two, option two, hydrogen-powered cargo vessels. The 89m-long vessels, with a capacity of about 3,750gt, are to be built at Gelibolu Shipyard in Turkey and will be the first general cargo ships in BV class to use hydrogen propulsion.   

The ships’ power packs will be made up of a high-pressure hydrogen power system and a battery pack for electric propulsion. They are intended for the transport of heavy cargoes and dry bulk shipments and will fly the Norwegian flag.

The vessels will have BV’s Hydrogenfuel-Prepared notation and will have a power system designed by eCAP Marine. The company will be responsible for installation, commissioning and testing of the Alternative Design Approved process. 

Møre Sjø managing director, Torstein Holsvik, commented: “Our ambition is to build Norway's leading zero-emission shipping company for coastal freight – a profitable, scalable and disruptive company with a clear green profile as its competitive advantage.”

Matthieu de Tugny, EVP of Industrials and Commodities at BV, said: “This project marks an important step in advancing hydrogen as an alternative fuel for general cargo shipping. By working together with Gelibolu Shipyard, eCap Marine and Møre Sjø AS, we are helping to ensure the safe and reliable deployment of new technologies, combining efficiency with readiness for future fuels. At BV, we are proud to support our stakeholders in preparing for the energy transition, and these vessels illustrate how forward-looking owners and builders can lead the way towards a lower-emission future.”