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Scottish-led HySeas III project aims to build Europe’s first sea-going ferry powered by hydrogen fuel cells

Plans to build a hydrogen powered ferry advanced last week when Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd awarded Aqualisbraemar LOC Group a commercial contract to develop a design concept for the innovative vessel.
Aqualisbraemar is a partner in the EU-funded HySeas III programme which also includes the University of St Andrews’ and Orkney Islands Council alongside several European organisations.

HySeas III is the final part of a three part research program that began in 2013 looking into the theory of hydrogen powered vessels (HySeas I), followed by a detailed technical and commercial study to design a hydrogen fuel cell powered vessel (Hyseas II 2014-2015). HySeas III builds on the first two parts by aiming to demonstrate that fuel cells may be successfully integrated with a proven marine hybrid electric drive system along with the associated hydrogen storage and bunkering arrangements.

CMAL and Aqualisbraemar will work together on the concept design, which will be built around the requirements of a passenger and vehicle ferry, with capacity for 120 passengers and 16 cars or two trucks. It is intended that this innovative vessel will operate on the route between Kirkwall and Shapinsay in Orkney, where hydrogen fuel is generated through wind power, although it will be capable of operating at other ports where hydrogen could become available in the future.

For the full press release, follow this link.