Norwegian shipyard group Havyard is promising that a viable system for hydrogen power will be finalised for shipping next year.
The group has set up a new company, Havyard Hydrogen, to drive its work forward.
Classification society approval in principle should be granted in 2021, but the first hydrogen-powered vessels will probably not be operational until 2023, the company told TradeWinds.
Havyard Hydrogen executive vice president Kristian Osnes explained the system is suitable for newbuildings and retrofits.
Liquid hydrogen will be stored in tanks on board. An evaporation process will be used to turn this into gas, which will then be used in 3.2 MW fuel cells to power a fully electric or hybrid propulsion system, he said.
Supply is key
Osnes told TradeWinds that Norway has several projects underway that should see liquid hydrogen available from 2023.
"We are quite positive about the hydrogen supply," he added.
Osnes said rivals had been focusing on lower power output and smaller vessels, whereas Havyard is thinking bigger.
"I don't think we'll be starting with VLCCs and capesizes, it will be ships operating close to the coastline," he added.
"The idea is to carry enough fuel for a ship's regular operations."
The group said the new company is being formed to meet market demand for the zero-emissions system.
Gunnar Larsen, group chief executive, said interest is increasing in hydrogen.
"This form of energy produces zero emissions at the same time as it is the most technologically mature for large vessels sailing over relatively long distances," he added.
Pioneering work
Large-scale hydrogen systems make completely different demands on handling processes.
It is vital that systems work when a ship is out in the open sea and experiencing ocean movement, the company said.
"This is one of the areas in which we've done a lot of pioneering work, the results of which will be drawn on in further work on [the] complete hydrogen system," Osnes added.
Havyard's solution includes flexible placement of the hydrogen tank, making it easier to fit in both newbuilds and converted vessels.
Earlier in November, the group said its yard unit New Havyard Ship Technology was quitting the newbuilding sector for the time being in depressed markets.
The company is also calling for more government help for yards to win green vessel orders.
The shipbuilder, which is controlled by the Saevik family, will downsize operations in Leirvik by cutting 100 staff and focusing on ship repair and service work instead.
