Norwegian coastal ferry operator Norled has begun operation with the ‘Hydra’, which it believes to be the first ferry to operate using liquid hydrogen as fuel.
Since the beginning of the year, Norled has been carrying out system tests at the quay in Hjelmeland, followed by sea trials and the final approval process from the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA).
The company says that this has involved a great deal of work to develop rules and regulations to enable Norwegian passenger ships to run on hydrogen. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) has made public procurement an instrument in developing and implementing this new technology.
Anders Sæternes, NPRA Ferry Management, said: “We have a tradition of using our role as a major purchaser to accelerate development towards the goals set for the transport sector. It is important for us to use our purchasing power for transition. Zero-emission vessels play an important part in this. While Norway persists as a leading global actor concerning the green shift within maritime transport – the Norwegian Public Roads Administration leads the nautical way towards a greener future – with our combined efforts in technological advancement and green policy development.”
This latest achievement follows some 20 years of green ferry innovation. In year 2000, the Glutra became the first car ferry to run off LNG, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, as compared to traditional diesel operation. 11 years ago, the NPRA issued a tender which resulted in the Ampere, the first all-electric ferry with propeller drive.
Sæternes said: “Therefore, by putting the world’s first hydrogen ferry into operation, we now take yet another substantial leap towards the goal of zero emissions – in regards to ferries as well as the general maritime industry – both in Norway and internationally.”
Heidi Wolden, CEO Norled said: “Today will be a historic day, both for Norled and for Norway as a leading shipping nation. Today we are witnessing the world’s first ship sailing on liquid hydrogen.”
Erlend Hovland, CTO Norled added: “This is fantastic. There are only two parties in the world that use liquid hydrogen as a fuel. These are Norled with the Hydra, and then the space industry using it as 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.”
Norway currently has around 70 electric ferries in operation. The start of operation with Hydra confirms Norway’s position in the development of new green maritime solutions.
Ada Jakobsen, CEO Maritime CleanTech, said: “By putting the world’s first hydrogen ferry into operation on a Norwegian ferry connection, we are once again showing how purchasing power and good public-private partnerships can be used to develop new and groundbreaking technology. This is important if we are to achieve Norwegian and international targets for substantial emission cuts towards 2030 and 2050. When Norled once again dares to go first, it will be much easier for others to follow in the wake of the Hydra.”
Linde Engineering of Germany supplied the hydrogen systems on board. Ballard of Denmark developed the fuel cells that produce electricity from hydrogen. Westcon was responsible for equipping and completing the vessel together with system integrator Seam, which also supplied the automation for the hydrogen system. Corvus Energy supplied the batteries for the Hydra and the vessel was approved by DNV.
Norway’s Director General of Shipping and Navigation, Knut Arild Hareide concluded: “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.”
