Partners to receive EUR 5 million grant for hydrogen-powered tanker project

Teco 2030, Shell and other partners have been awarded a EUR 5 million grant for the development of HyEKoTank, a project to retrofit an 18,600dwt products tanker with a 2.4-MW fuel cell system from Teco 2030 and 4,000kg of compressed hydrogen storage space. The system is likely to be demonstrated in 2024.

The tanker will demonstrate zero-emissions at berth and a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) while operating at sea. The partners are hoping that the project could become a first mover in the tanker sector and support the European Union’s drive to cut GHG emissions by 55% by 2030.

Tor Enger, Teco 2030 Group CEO, commented: “We are proud to have been invited for funding from Horizon Europe as we move forward with the integration of Teco 2030 fuel cells on board ships. The hydrogen tanker concept will be a state-of-the-art vessel retrofitted to reduce up to 100% of GHG emissions during voyage and at berth.”

Carl Henrickson, general manager Technology, Innovation & Digitalisation at Shell Shipping and Maritime, said: “Our target is to be a net-zero emission energy business by 2050 and to accelerate this transition, we are partnering with customers and businesses from across the sectors. Shell will purchase the fuel cell system and provide the renewable hydrogen to power this pioneering project as we continue to drive innovation to deliver the cleaner energy solution that our customers need.” Other partners in the project include Ektank AB, Blom Maritime, Teco Solutions, Umoe Advanced Composites, FKAB Marine Design, Neste Oyj, and the Arctic University of Norway.