Wind-assisted bulker powered by hydrogen awarded AiP

Norwegian shipowner, Egil Ulvan Rederi AS, has been awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) by Lloyd’s Register (LR) for a new zero-emission bulk carrier, developed by Norwegian Ship Design. The 5,500dwt With Orca will be powered by a hydrogen combustion engine, fuel cells, batteries, and two large rotor sails. The AiP was issued following the completion by LR of a risk-based HAZID certification.

With hydrogen provided by Norway’s Statkraft, the 88m-long With Orca is due to be commissioned early in 2024. It will be deployed in mostly open waters in the North Sea where good wind conditions prevail. The bulk carrier will ship aggregates and grain on long-term contracts with cargo owners, Heidelberg Cement and Felleskjøpet Agri.

LR Marine and Offshore director, Mark Darley, declared: “LR is delighted to have been selected for this world first project that utilises several alternative propulsion technologies. Through our thorough risk-based analysis, we are happy to award Approval in Principle for the use of hydrogen as a sustainable and safe solution for vessel propulsion. LR is a pioneer in maritime decarbonisation and is supporting our clients to assess the technological, commercial, and societal viability of multiple transition pathways.”

Shipowner and project manager, Ivar Ulvan, commented: “Receiving the AiP from Lloyd’s Register is an important milestone for us. We have been working with the project for more than 1.5 years, and the AiP confirms that we have made good design choices in our effort to create a safe, efficient, and feasible concept.”