Teco 2030 of Norway is leading a consortium with partners Umoe Mandal and Blom Maritime to develop a hydrogen powered zero-emission high-speed vessel, with up to NOK 5m in funding support.
The vessel will combine Teco 2030 fuel cells and energy-efficient catamaran design with SES technology from Umoe Mandal. The vessel will have the capacity to transport 200-300 passengers at speeds above 35 knots while sailing over long distances. In the project, known as ‘High-speed vessel of the future’, the county municipalities of Finnmark, Nordland, Trøndelag and Vestland aim to develop ground-breaking technology in several areas. One of the technology segments is to develop, build and demonstrate the world’s first hydrogen-powered high-speed vessel. The consortium of Teco 2030, Blom Maritime and Umoe Mandal is one of three qualified consortiums.
Tore Enger, Teco 2030 Group CEO, said: “We are humble and proud to be qualified for developing the high-speed vessel of the future, powered by hydrogen and Teco 2030 Fuel Cells. This proves our ability to lead advanced vessel developments and design, either it is retrofit or newbuilds through our maritime expertise.”
Tom Harald Svennevig, CEO, Umoe Mandal, said: “Umoe Mandal has over 30 years of experience in delivering light-weight and energy-efficient vessels, based on the SES (Surface Effect Ship) Technology. This includes the world’s fastest combat ship, the Skjold class corvette, and the Wavecraft CTV series for the offshore wind market. We are excited for this opportunity to develop and approve a hydrogen-powered zero-emission version of our vessels.”
The contract contains two phases, where the consortia in 2022 and 2023 will first develop and get their solutions approved. In the next phase, one supplier will be chosen to build and demonstrate the newly developed vessel. The vessel will be in pilot operation from 2025.
Tomas Norvoll, Nordland county mayor, concluded: “By introducing hydrogen as an energy carrier for high-speed vessels, we can create the uncompromising high-speed vessel that can replace all current high-speed vessels in Norway.”
