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Case studies on battery and hydrogen fuel cell use in cruise and ferry sectors
MSC Cruise, Hurtigruten, Switch Maritime and Tidal Transit will present case studies and installation reports involving hydrogen fuel cells and batteries at an upcoming event in Norway
Installing batteries on ferries operating on regular routes and with access to shore power at one or both ends of their voyages is a proven tactic with myriad benefits for shipowners and passengers, but for larger ocean-going cruise-ferries, expedition vessels and cruise ships, even the highest capacity batteries, currently around 7 MWh, are not enough to use independently of other power sources.
With the current lack of sufficient battery power to serve larger, ocean-going vessels, and a need to push forward on decarbonisation in the idustry, cruise shipowners are taking the initiative on hydrogen fuel cells seriously.
Owners of cruise ships, ferries and people transfer vessels will highlight their current projects and future plans in case studies at Riviera’s Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cell Conference 2024, which returns to Bergen, Norway, 29-31 October 2024 to bring together leading vessel owners, energy companies, port authorities, regulators, class, technology and battery manufacturers.
Speakers lineup
Switch Maritime’s chief operating officer, Elias van Sickle, will present the world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell ferry, Sea Change, now operating in the US
This vessel was constructed by Bay Ship and Yacht in Alameda, California, and transferred to All American Marine in Bellingham, Washington, for the installation of the fuel cells, hydrogen storage tanks and other equipment, and for final commissioning.
Sea Change started operating with zero emissions in San Francisco, California, in Q3 2024
In his presentation, Mr van Sickle will talk about the project challenges, advances in fuel-cell technology for the maritime industry that enabled Sea Change, and the operational experiences to date. He will also forecast what is next for Switch Maritime and zero-emissions ferries in the US.
MSC Cruise Management’s UK-based director of newbuilds, research and development, Giovanni Somma, will present the company’s plans for installing fuel cells on cruise ships.
His presentation will address the feasibility of hydrogen-electric powertrains, applications for fuel cells based on availability of LNG, methanol and liquefied or compressed hydrogen.
Mr Somma will also consider the different vessel configuration considerations and the systems available for ship retrofits and newbuild vessels.
Hurtigruten chief operating officer Gerry Larsson-Fedde will explain the reasons for investing in electrification of cruise ferries and cruise ships, including reducing fuel consumption and delivering emissions-free operations
He will provide a case study of designing a ship for electrification and using power from shore for zero-emissions in port and batteries for reducing emissions for hotel loads
Tidal Transit director Leo Hambro will provide case studies for retrofitting crew transfer vessels (CTVs) used to take engineers to offshore windfarms, with batteries and other equipment for sustainable clean maritime operations.
He will consider the advantages such as reducing fuel costs and operating expenses, as well as emissions, and highlight the charging infrastructure options.
Seatrium assistant manager Nirmal Vineeth Menon will provide a case study involving retrofit of a vessel in Singapore with a hydrogen fuel cell. He will also outline the alternate design approach and approvals, sea trials and data collection and Seatrium’s future plans.
Riviera’s fifth international-focused Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cells Conference returns to Bergen, Norway, on 29-31 October 2024 to bring together leading vessel owners, energy companies, port authorities, regulators, class, technology and battery manufacturers. Use this link to register and purchase tickets and for more information
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