Construction start for hydrogen vessels to become largest in the world

On April 18th Torghatten Nord AS announced that they have entered a contract with Norwegian Myklebust Verft AS to build their two new Lofoten ferries fuelled on hydrogen. With an installed fuel cell power of 6.4 MW the ferries will traverse the 3 h open sea connection (100 km) from Bodø to the Lofoten Islands day and night in the main season. With up to 120 cars and 599 passengers, the ferries are likely both to become the most powerful hydrogen-fuelled vessels in the world, and the largest consumers of hydrogen, when they are projected to start operating in 2026. For the best possible fuel economy, a green hydrogen plant will be built and operated by GreenH AS only 3 km away from the Bodø ferry terminal, so that the ferry can bunker compressed hydrogen directly at the quayside of the plant.

The contract award was celebrated on board of one of the current ferries, MF Værøy, with prominent guests, including previous Prime Minister Erna Solberg, who was instrumental in the decision to build hydrogen ferries (rather than using biofuel to cut emissions). Other speakers included representatives from Torghatten and Myklebust, the Norwegian Public Road Authorities, and leading politicians from communities dependent of the ferry.
In addition to representatives from contract partners, there were several subcontractors present, including ship designer The Norwegian Ship Design Company, SEAM, GreenH and HYEX Safety. A representative from class society Lloyd's Register was also present.

HYEX supports the project in the field of hydrogen safety. We have contributed with advice and assessments in the process towards obtaining preliminary design approval. We consider the safety concept very good. All hydrogen systems are installed on the top deck well above passengers. The hydrogen storage is usually the most critical system related to safety. During the preliminary design process towards the NMA, storage containers were optimised with the aim to eliminate large leak rates and the potential for escalated fire scenarios to develop.

We look forward to the continuation.