A hydrogen-powered passenger vessel, Hydroville, was launched by the Antwerp-based maritime group Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB). It is the first certified vessel to use dual fuel-combustion engines, burning both hydrogen and diesel to power its propulsion.

Hydrogen-injected diesel engines aren’t covered by the standard rules of the marine classification society, and Lloyd’s Register says it used a risk-based design approach to create an approval class for Hydroville, which was granted Nov. 16, 2017 upon completion of the vessel’s sea trials.

Lloyd’s Register views the hydrogen-powered ship as a first step toward meeting the 2018 International Maritime Organization (IMO) goals for low- and zero-emission shipping because burning hydrogen fuel does not release CO₂ and particulates.

To assess the viability of hydrogen power and other zero-emission vessel (ZEV) applications, Lloyd’s Register released a report  together with University Maritime Advisory Services on Dec. 11 that examines case studies across five different types of ships and three different regulatory and economic scenarios. The cases include various combinations of battery, synthetic fuels and biofuel for onboard storage of energy, coupled with either a fuel cell and motor, internal combustion engine or a motor for the conversion of that energy store into the mechanical and electrical energy required for propulsion and auxiliary services.

Lloyd’s Register says that the costs of some of these technologies, including “fuel cells, batteries and hydrogen storage could all reduce significantly, especially if they become important components of another sector’s [decarbonization], or if action taken during shipping’s transition assists with the technology’s development.”

To read the report “Zero-Emission Vessels 2030” click here.

Learn more about Hydroville at CMB.