Global Energy Ventures (GEV) has announced that the ABS has issued an Approval in Principle (AIP) for the company’s pilot-scale compressed hydrogen ship, based on a cargo capacity of 430 metric tons of hydrogen.
The pilot-scale compressed hydrogen ship is powered by an electric drive propulsion system, consisting of Wärtsilä’s dual-fuel engines that can run on either natural gas or hydrogen. These then power generators attached to two electric drive fixed pitch propellers.
The Handymax-sized gas carrier has been designed to support the requirements of greenfield hydrogen projects that are currently being established for export by the middle of the decade. In terms of ocean-going vessels, the Handymax is relatively small enabling it to enter most ports.
“We have received AIP from ABS for our pilot-scale 430 metric-ton hydrogen ship, which follows AIP received earlier this year for our innovative compressed hydrogen ship with a 2,000 metric-ton capacity,” commented Martin Carolan, managing director and CEO, GEV.
The vessel will also be equipped with dynamic positioning (DP) enabling it to hold its position using bow and aft thruster systems, supporting safe and efficient offshore loading operations.
To make the ship even more sustainable, GEV is to work with Ballard Power Systems to power the ships with marine fuel cells using 100% hydrogen, resulting in zero-carbon emissions during operation.
“ABS is a leading classification society for gas carriers and GEV is looking forward to working with them to ensure that our compressed hydrogen ships continue to meet the highest safety standards,” continued Carolan. “Marine storage and transport solutions are required for hydrogen to contribute to global decarbonization ambitions. Efficient, safe and cost-competitive marine transport solutions for high purity hydrogen are required before 2030 to enable the development of greenfield hydrogen supply chains at scale.”
The planned vessel has been discussed with several hydrogen development projects, reinforcing GEV’s belief that compression will provide a simple and energy efficient shipping solution between hydrogen suppliers and customers, with a range of up to 4,500 nautical miles.
A feasibility study is scheduled for completion by mid-2022 in which the pilot ship will be used as a base case for transporting green hydrogen to Asia-Pacific markets.
