AqualisBraemar LOC joins hydrogen-powered ferry project

London-based energy and marine consultancy AqualisBraemar LOC has partnered in designing Europe’s first hydrogen fuel ferry, a part of the HYSEAS III project.

Scottish fery company Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL), one of the partners in the EU-funded HySeas III programme, awarded the commercial contract to Aqualisbraemar LOC.

Following HYSEAS I and HYSEAS II, HYSEAS III wants to build on the first two stages by demonstrating that hydrogen fuel cells may be successfully integrated with a marine hybrid electric drive system, along with associated hydrogen storage and bunkering arrangements.

The HYSEAS III consortium includes CMAL (Scotland), Kongsberg (Norway), Ballard (Denmark), Orkney Isles Council (Scotland), St Andrew University (Scotland), McPhy (France), Arcsilea (England), and Interferry (Sweden).

AqualisBraemar LOC is to design a double-ended sea-going passenger and car ferry capable of utilizing the hydrogen-powered drive train and thereby running completely emission-free.

The ferry will be designed around the requirements of Shapinsay in Orkney where hydrogen fuel is generated through wind power.

AqualisBraemar LOC operations in Aberdeen will work with CMAL, to ensure optimum sustainability in the overall vessel design.

The group will also draw upon its sister company, Longitude Engineering’s experience in vessel design, upgrade and conversions, to support the HYSEAS III project.

Graham Dallas, business development manager for AqualisBraemar LOC in Europe, said: “AqualisBraemar LOC understand the important role the maritime industry has to play in the global fight for climate change. Whilst tackling marine emissions is a global responsibility, we are also proud to be supporting CMAL, in its role as part of a Scottish-led consortia, in building up world-leading competence in alternative clean fuel systems, which harnesses local marine renewable sources.”

John Salton, fleet manager and projects director at CMAL, said: “The contract award represents a significant step forward in establishing a new, innovative vessel concept, and marks an important shift towards entirely emissions-free marine transport. Hydrogen ferries exist, but this concept is built around using hydrogen fuel cells to power a seagoing ship, the first in the UK and Europe. If successful, the next step will be to take the knowledge and know-how into building a ferry.”