Building on the development of its autonomous laboratory vessel with the first complete hydrogen chain, Energy Observer has launched the design of a new liquid-hydrogen fueled multipurpose cargo ship.
With a commercial speed of 12kts, a 4MW electric propulsion system and 1,000m3 liquid hydrogen tanks, the Energy Observer 2 will have a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles.
The 120m-long design will be capable of zero-emission operations, have a high level of autonomy and a large cargo capacity. With liquid hydrogen storage and the associated technologies such as fuel cells and liquefiers now advanced and readily available, the company seeks to investigate new technical challenges such as the management of cryogenic temperatures and the integration of large tanks.
The ship has been designed to meet the need to renew current fleets of multipurpose cargo ships with a deadweight of 5,000 tons, which are used on intra-continental and coastal routes and can call at modest-size ports without the need for heavy logistics. This vessel type, at present, constitutes 37% of the world’s fleet and is a priority segment for Energy Observer and its partners to help accelerate the transition to clean propulsion.
Energy Observer will work with a number of partners, including hydrogen specialist Air Liquide and the CMA CGM Group, to analyze the commercial and operational parameters of the new vessel. Further partners include fuel cell expert EODev, an industrial subsidiary of Energy Observer; LMG Marin, which developed the world’s first liquid-hydrogen ferry and will be in charge of the Energy Observer 2’s design; Ayro, which is set to install Oceanwings with a surface area of 1,450m² on board the vessel; and maritime regulations authority Bureau Veritas.
The ship will be presented by president and Energy Observer founder Victorien Erussard at the One Ocean Summit in Brest, France, on February 10, 2022.