MSC Group’s Cruise Division, Fincatieri, and Snam will collaborate to develop conditions for the world’s first oceangoing hydrogen-powered cruise ship.
According to the consortium, this goal was formalized with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which will see a feasibility study conducted into the possibility of creating the world’s first oceangoing hydrogen cruise ship.
This will also entail the creation of a hydrogen bunkering infrastructure for the ship.
The three companies will examine critical elements relevant to the development of oceangoing hydrogen-powered cruise ships during the next 12 months, according to the provisions of the MoU.
These include rearranging ship rooms to incorporate hydrogen technology and fuel cells, assessing the potential greenhouse gas emissions savings, and conducting a technical and economic analysis of hydrogen supply and infrastructure.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, said, “As a Company that has long made environmental sustainability its focus, we want to put ourselves at the forefront of the energy revolution for our sector and hydrogen can greatly contribute to this.
“However, today production levels remain low and hydrogen fuel is still far from being available at scale.
“With this project, we’re taking the lead to bring this promising technology to our fleet and the industry while sending the strongest possible signal to the market about how seriously we take our environmental commitments.
“As we advance with the development of the maritime technology required, we will also see that energy providers take note and ramp up production to unlock this, and that governments and the public sector step in to provide the necessary support for a project that is critical to the decarbonisation of cruising and shipping.”
Marco Alverà, CEO of Snam, said, “Hydrogen could be a key enabler in achieving the target of net zero emissions in shipping, accounting for approximately 3% of global carbon emissions, as well as in all the hard to abate sectors.
“Snam is strongly committed to concrete initiatives for sustainable heavy transport – on road, rail and by sea – promoting the use of renewable gases such hydrogen and bioLNG.
“This agreement for us is part of a wider strategy to leverage on our experience, competences and technologies in green gases and energy efficiency in order to contribute to the full decarbonisation of the shipping value chain, including ports and logistics, which will be increasingly crucial in our economies.”
