Tugboat to be fitted with hydrogen fuel cells in Singapore

ST Engineering is spearheading a project to test the viability of hydrogen fuel cells on harbour vessels as part of Singapore’s drive to reduce emissions from service boats.

This Singapore-headquartered group is in the process of acquiring a small newbuild tugboat that can be fitted with a containerised hydrogen electrolyser and fuel-cell package as a trial under the nation’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA)’s oversight.

ST Engineering team leader, Junwei Fan, said the trial would include developing a marine-certified hydrogen-fuelled propulsion package, using existing technology proven onshore in ST Engineering’s HubGen unit, to drive two electric thrusters.

“We are in the process of acquiring a tugboat and procuring the hydrogen system for testing around Singapore,” Mr Fan told Riviera at the Seawork exhibition in Southampton, UK.

He also suggested delivery of the completed vessel could be in 2028 or 2029 ready for testing and sea trials.

ST Engineering has developed the HubGen containerised hydrogen electrolyser and fuel-cell package for applications to generate up to 1 MW of power for onshore applications.

In April, ST Engineering Marine gained an approval in principle (AiP) from class society RINA to a 25-m aluminium fast passenger ferry with a HubGen hydrogen fuel-cell system, supported by lithium-ion batteries.

ST Engineering intends to install this on Asean Raider I, operated by BatamFast.

At that time, ST Engineering deputy president for marine, Lim Nian Hua, said the AiP “represents a key feasibility milestone in expanding our retrofitting capabilities, as we explore practical pathways to introduce hydrogen fuel cell technology into maritime operations.”

He added, “it validates the robustness of our retrofit concept and demonstrates our engineering expertise to safely integrating new technologies into existing vessels.”