Norway could get two new hydrogen-capable ferries by 2026

Norwegian Myklebust shipyard will construct two hydrogen-capable ferries for compatriot ferry operator Torghatten Nord.

PHOTO: Concept design of green hydrogen-capable vessel for Torghatten Nord. Myklebust Shipyard

The vessels are scheduled to be delivered by 2026 and will bunker green hydrogen in Bodo, according to Myklebust.

These vessels will be the “world’s largest hydrogen ships” and will be able to carry up to 120 cars, it added.

Last August, Torghatten Nord announced plans to introduce hydrogen-powered ferries on the Bodø–Moskenes–Værøy–Røst route in Vestfjorden, Norway by October 2025. The company also plans to convert two of its existing LNG ferries to run on hydrogen by October 2025.

Torghatten Nord has signed a green hydrogen offtake agreement with hydrogen producer GreenH.

GreenH will construct a hydrogen production plant in Langstranda in Narvik district. The plant will be capable of producing green hydrogen up to 6-10 mt/day - around 2,190-3,650 mt/year.

Green hydrogen is one of the cleanest fuels available for decarbonising smaller vessels. But it has yet to make a technological breakthrough to power large ocean-going vessels.

This is because most fuel cells rely on PEM technology. PEM fuel cells require constant supply of hydrogen to generate power. High cost and challenges associated with storing large quantities of hydrogen onboard vessels make PEM fuel cells expensive and impractical for long-distance voyages.

Larger vessels will need high-efficiency fuel cells for longer voyages, such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Since SOFC technology in marine applications is still at a nascent stage, it may take some time before ocean-going vessels can fully transition to hydrogen propulsion.

By Konica Bhatt

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