Norwegian cleantech company Teco 2030 and Norwegian shipbuilder Umoe Mandal have submitted an application for in-principle approval (AIP) for the design of the world's first fuel cell high-speed vessel to the Norwegian Maritime Authority.
The vessel is a passenger vessel equipped with a multi-megawatt fuel cell system, with a speed of 35 knots, a range of at least 160 nautical miles, and a capacity of 275 passengers; The vessel will be built on Umoe Mandal's Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) Surface Effect Ship (SES) technology, which aims to reduce the impact on the surrounding environment.
Once the ship design and hydrogen propulsion unit have been AIP, TECO 2030 and Umoe Mandal will work with the best developers to move forward with the final approval.
The design is said to be of interest to the global maritime industry as it seeks alternatives to switch from fossil fuels to more sustainable fuels. The design is designed to be the first zero-emission high-speed passenger ship that produces no emissions other than warm air and water during coastal navigation.
Tore Enger, Group CEO of TECO 2030, said: "It is a significant achievement to establish a partnership with Umoe Mandal and submit an application to the Norwegian Maritime Authority for the approval in principle of a vessel designed for future zero-emission maritime transport. This shows that the industry is ready to embrace the commercialization of hydrogen-powered passenger ships, thereby contributing to the reduction and elimination of pollution in the maritime industry. ”