Scandinavian ferry project targets hydrogen for fuel
Illustration of the new ferry (Source: Knud E. Hansen)
Copenhagen-based ferry company, DFDS, is collaborating with partners in a project to develop an electrically powered ferry using a green hydrogen fuel cell system. The aim is for the ferry to operate entirely on hydrogen power.
Working with DFDS, partners in the project are ABB, Ballard Power Systems Europe, Hexagon Purus, Lloyd’s Register, Knud E. Hansen, Ørsted and Danish Ship Finance. The group has applied for project support from the EU Innovation Fund.
It is envisaged that sustainable hydrogen will be produced using an electrolyser plant powered by wind energy in Greater Copenhagen. The only emissions will be water, the partners said.
The 1,800-passenger ferry, with capacity for 120 lorries or 380 cars, has been given the working name, Europa Seaways. It will operate on the route between Oslo, Frederikshavn and Copenhagen in a round trip that will take 48 hours. The ship’s fuel cell system will be capable of producing up to 23 MW of power.
Torben Carlsen, chief executive of DFDS, commented: “The largest fuel cell systems today produce only 1 to 5 MW, and the development of such large-scale fuel cell installations for an electric ferry is a monumental task. We can only succeed in partnerships with companies that together can muster some of the globe’s finest expertise in design, approval, building, financing, and operation of innovative vessels.”
It is estimated that the ferry will save 64,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. The vessel could start operating on the route in 2027.
