The European Union’s private and public sectors are working hard on developing projects that could accelerate the transition from the fossil fuel powered to the zero-emission shipping.
One of the leading joint efforts is the project created by Danish ferry operator DFDS, Swiss-Sweden giant ABB, Danish fuel cell manufacturer Ballard Power Systems Europe, the global leader in zero-emission e-mobility Hexagon Purus, wind power generator Orsted, Lloyds Register and Danish Ship Finance.
The project is designed to build a 100% green hydrogen powered ferry by 2027.
The revolutionary vessel named “Europa Seaways” will be the world’s largest and most powerful ferry. It will be capable of carrying 1,800 passengers, and either 380 cars or 120 trucks.
The ferry will link Danish and Norwegian capitals, Copenhagen and Oslo via Fredrikshavn. The sea distance between capitals is 483 kilometers. The ferry is planned to be self-efficient for 48-hour roundtrip.
The ship will be powered by a 23-megawatt hydrogen fuel cell replacing a conventional diesel propulsion system and auxiliaries.
Consider the scope of the project: Existing hydrogen fuel cells generate an output of 1 to 5 megawatts. Hydrogen will be produced in an offshore wind-powered plant located near Copenhagen and will be stored onboard the ship in composite tanks. The planned fuel tank capacity is 44 tons.
The new installation will be complex and heavy, but accordingly to project developers, the ship’s weight will be the same as if it were fitted with conventional diesel engines and power systems.
The project is exceptionally challenging and requires a private businesses partnership but also needs a public financial support. DFDS and partners have applied for €8 million support to the European Union Innovation Fund.
The EU Innovation Fund is one the world’s largest for innovative low-carbon technologies offering €10 billion to be spent on the most successful projects by 2030.
Once operational, the ferry is expected to save approximately 64,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year. The zero CO2 ferry will also serve as an inspiration for decarbonization of other commercial vessel types.
The European Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy set a goal to see the first zero-emission ship in operation by 2035. If the project Europa Seaways develops accordingly to current plans, the Commission’s goal will be achieved much earlier.
The shipping Industry is by far the most efficient mode of transportation carrying 80% of the world’s trade volume, according to the UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development). There are more than 90,000 ships operating on international seas, and the European Union counts 23,000 ships in its fleet and controls about 40% of the world’s tonnage.
According to the third IMO GHG Study in 2014, the shipping industry has emitted about 1 billion tons of CO2 and greenhouse gases per year between 2007 and 2012. This represents about 3 % of annual global emission. With existing growth rates, the shipping industry will be responsible for 10% of a global carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) set a goal to reduce the carbon emissions from shipping by at least 40% by 2030, and 70% by 2050, compared with 2008 levels. To achieve the goal, the shipping industry needs to take urgent actions. PSR
Sources: Volvo Penta Press Releases, IBI News, Boating, Trade Only Today
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Natasa Mulahalilovic is Marine Pleasure Boat Analyst, Europe, for Power Systems Research
