High-speed hydrogen fuel cell boat to be built in Norway

The vessel with be among the first in the world and will result from a new 8-partner project.

As Norway continues to focus on zero-emission vehicles to meet its climate change goals, it is now pursuing a new high-speed hydrogen fuel cell boat project that will represent a first in the world.

This will add to the furthering of its decarbonization of the maritime industry in the country.

Norway has set a 2026 goal of allowing only zero-emission ferries and cruise ships near its world heritage fjords. This is a component of its wider 2030 goal of slashing its emissions in half when compared to 1990 levels. It suggests that all boat manufacturers intending to operate their vehicles in or near the fjords will need to switch to emission-free propulsion systems without sacrificing the performance of the vessels.

As a part of this effort, a new high-speed hydrogen fuel cell boat project has been launched. It involves the participation of eight partners and will represent one of the firsts in the world.

Clean technology company TECO 2030, the Port of Narvik, and a number of other partners intend to replace one of their diesel vessels with the newly built zero-emission model powered by H2, the propulsion system of which will be produced by TECO. The boat itself will be built by Grovfjord Mekaniske Verksted (GMV) shipyard near Narvik. That boat will be able to reach 23 knots (26 miles per hour/42 kilometers per hour) and is slated to be completed by 2023. The Port will primarily use the vessel for training, monitoring, and emergency operations.

Some more about TECO 2030…

Along with the hydrogen fuel cell boat, there will also be an H2 fueling station developed by Everfuel.

Everfuel will be developing an H2 fueling station that will be used by the new high-speed vessel. That company is already constructing stations for heavy-duty vehicles throughout the country. The new station for the boat will be unique in that it will be the first in the world that will be usable by both heavy-duty vehicles on land and by ships.

As more than 500 trucks travel through Narvik every day, making H2 fueling available to them will become a strategic asset for zero-emission transportation in the country. The goal is to use it to accelerate the area’s transition toward zero-emission shipping.

The hydrogen fuel cell technology used in the vessel will be made by TECO 2030, which is already in the midst of developing an Innovation Center that will serve as both a research facility and a factory.

Interested in alternative energy and how hydrogen fuel works?

This article is focused on different forms of hydrogen transportation, research and development  – Learn more about How efficient is a hydrogen fuel cell.  Also, why big named companies like Rolls Royce, Shell, BP and more investing into green hydrogen projects for the near future – Read more about – Who is the largest producer of green hydrogen? Also, make sure to visit our H2 Learning Center.