A new Norwegian initiative intends to create one of the world’s first hydrogen-powered boats capable of reaching high speeds.
The marine vehicle will take the position of one of the diesel ships in the Norwegian port of Narvik, which is located in the country’s northwestern corner.
The boat, which will be designated as a long-range, high-speed passenger vehicle, will be capable of reaching 23 knots (42.5 km/h) and is projected to be finished by 2023. It will largely be used for monitoring, training, and emergency operations at the port. Its hydrogen cells will be manufactured at the Teco 2030 innovation center in Norway, which specializes in clean technology, in collaboration with the Austrian business AVL, which specializes in power train technology.
The initiative, which is currently seeking financial backing from Enova, the Norwegian state-owned business responsible for promoting environmentally sound energy generation and consumption, is also including other enterprises and institutions. “Hydrogen is the key to green transportation, but it will need a lot of money,” said Teco 2030 CEO Tore Enger.
A hydrogen filling station, which will become a strategic asset aimed at facilitating the region’s transition to zero-emission maritime transport, is also an essential aspect of the project. One of the project’s partners, the Danish business Everfuel, will aim to build this station. Everfuel is now striving to create hydrogen filling stations for trucks, buses, and other heavy transportation throughout Norway.
Every day, some 500 trucks pass through the Norwegian port city, therefore the post is designed to handle more than just nautical trade. The idea is to make it the world’s first hydrogen fuelling station that can serve both ships and vehicles.
Norway seeks to cut emissions from domestic marine travel by half by 2030 (relative to 1990) and exclusively allow zero-emission cruise ships and ferries starting in 2026. The Arctic Institution of Norway, a Norwegian public university, will engage in the project as a research partner, teaching its students to become future workers of the project partners.
Hydrogen fuel cells produce just water vapor and hot air while converting hydrogen into power. They can also be employed in loading and unloading activities throughout the boat’s stay in the port, allowing for zero-emission operations at the dock.
