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Norled’s hydrogen ferry approved for service
MF Hydra, Norled’s new hydrogen-powered ferry, is ready to enter service after the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) gave the company final approval
Hydra, a hybrid vessel that uses both batteries and liquid hydrogen fuel cells, underwent sea trials following a pilot test at Hjelmeland quay earlier this year.
“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,” said Norled chief executive Heidi Wolden.
In November, Ballard Power Systems installed the two 200-kW fuel-cell modules that will power the ferry. These cells contain enough fuel for 12 days of sailings at an average speed of 9 knots, allowing the vessel to run for roughly 1,000 nautical miles.
Hydrogen fuel is sourced from chemical giant Linde’s plant in Germany and will be stored on deck in cylindrical tanks of 10.0 m x 3.5 m in diameter.
Hydrogen is vaporised in a processing area and then fed into the fuel cells as a gas. Hydra features gas and flame detectors aboard as safety precautions and has emergency venting systems. Norled had to engineer and build a dedicated hydrogen bunkering tower for this project.
“This is fantastic, there are only two parties in the world that use liquid hydrogen as a fuel. These are Norled with MF Hydra, and 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-emissions journey between Hjelmeland and Nesvik,” remarked Norled chief technology officer Erlend Hovland.
He added, “We must commend our partners on this journey, and not least the NPRA. They made liquid hydrogen a requirement in their tender specification, forcing the development of new technology. Together we have made history.”
Much of the technology for Hydra was developed in Norway.
The 82-m ferry can carry up to 300 passengers and 80 vehicles. The ship features two Schottel thrusters.
Linde Engineering provided the vessel’s hydrogen systems.
Westcon in Ølensvåg was responsible for equipping and completing the vessel together with system integrator SEAM from Karmøy. SEAM has also supplied the automation scope for the hydrogen system while Corvus Energy has supplied the batteries for Hydra and the vessel has received class approval from DNV.
Norway’s Director General of Shipping and Navigation Knut Arild Hareide hailed the project as “very important for Norway as a maritime nation”. New regulations stipulate that vessels operating in Norway’s famous fjords must be emissions free from 2026.
And there are a growing number of initiatives as operators seek newer options to conventional diesel fuelled propulsion.
Another company, Northern Xplorer is basing operations on a combination of hydrogen and battery technology and has attracted interest from a consortium. As hydrogen has gained momentum, fuel prices have fallen, making it more viable commercially.
Last month, Swedish firm PowerCell and SEAM signed an agreement to deliver hydrogen systems to two ships that will operate on Norway’s longest ferry connection.
The vessels will need to cover long distances in demanding conditions with voyages of up to four hours. Norwegian transport group Torghatten Nord will deliver the ferries, which will have a larger capacity than Hydra with room for up to 599 passengers,120 cars and 12 trucks each.
“We know there may be challenges when it comes to putting new technology to use, and it is also good the NMA 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 a very important project for Norled, but also for Norway as a nation. The fact 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,” concluded Mr Hareide.
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