Hydrogen-powered ferry commissioned in Norway

MF Hydra with the white hydrogen tank visible in the middle of the ship (Source: Norled)
The world’s first hydrogen-powered ferry, MF Hydra, has entered service in Norway for NPRA Ferry Management, a division of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA). The ferry, which will run on liquid hydrogen, will be operated by Norled, one of the country’s largest ferry operators.
The project demonstrates the scale of collaboration that is required for the successful development of new fuel technologies.
Germany’s Linde Engineering is supplying hydrogen. Denmark’s Ballard Power Systems developed the fuel cells that will produce electricity. Norway’s Westcon Yards and emissions reduction specialist, Seam AS, have completed the ferry and integrated the hydrogen systems on board. Corvus Energy provided batteries, and the vessel has been certified by DNV.
Anders Sæternes, director of Ferry Management at NPRA, said: "The Norwegian Public Roads Administration is proud to contribute to making public procurement an instrument in developing and implementing new technology and thus provide better facilities for road users ... It is important for us to use our purchasing power for transition. Zero-emission vessels play an important part in this.ˮ
Proclaiming the first hydrogen-powered ferry’s commissioning as fantastic, Erlend Hovland, Norled’s chief technology officer, said: "There are only two parties in the world that use liquid hydrogen as a fuel. These are Norled with the MF Hydra and then the space industry using it as a fuel for launches. This says something about the giant technology leap now taken for the maritime industry. After a lot of development and testing, we are now looking forward to welcoming passengers on board for a zero-emission journey between Hjelmeland and Nesvik.ˮ
The Norwegian Maritime Authority’s director general of Shipping and Navigation, Knut Arild Hareide, commented: "We know that there may be challenges when it comes to putting new technology to use, and it is also good that the Norwegian Maritime Authority has been closely involved in the project from an early stage, like we were when the first battery-operated car ferry was to be put into operation.
"This is of course a very important project for Norled, but also for Norway as a nation. The fact that we work together, businesses and authorities, to facilitate new technology development will give Norway a competitive advantage and may provide the basis for new jobs, while also making it even more exciting to work in the maritime industry."