Dutch logistics company Samskip expects to operate two hydrogen-powered short-sea container ships between the Oslo Fjord and Rotterdam.

PHOTO: Samskip’s concept design of a hydrogen-powered short-sea container ship. ABB

Each of the vessels will be powered by 3.2-megawatt (MW) hydrogen fuel cells, and have diesel generators as back-ups. Fuel cells generate electrical energy from fuel via an electrochemical reaction.

Samskip expects these vessels to achieve carbon dioxide emission reductions of 25,000 mt/yr through using hydrogen-powered fuel cells and harnessing green shore power during port calls.

The vessels have been designed by Norwegian ship architect Naval Dynamics and are being built by Indian shipbuilder Cochin Shipyard. Swiss engineering firm ABB has been contracted to provide power, propulsion and automation systems for the vessels, including hydrogen fuel cells, power distribution and storage systems.

“Hydrogen fuel cell technology is considered as one of the most promising solutions to support shipping industry’s decarbonization agenda, with the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency,” ABB says.

The vessels are expected to be delivered in the third and fourth quarters of 2025.

“The vessels will be among the world’s first of their kind to use hydrogen as a fuel,” ABB claims.

The project is in line with Samskip’s aim of achieving net zero by 2040 and the International Maritime Organisation’s revised greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategy, which sets out to make shipping net zero "by or around, i.e. close to, 2050". Meeting both of these targets will require higher uptake of low-carbon fuels by 2030.

The project has been backed by the Norwegian government's green funding programme, ENOVA, which aims to boost adoption of innovative technologies for emission-free transportation.

“These ships are a milestone for the maritime industry, delivering hydrogen fuel cells as a clean and renewable technology,” Samskip’s head of fleet management Erik Hofmeester says.

By Tuhin Roy

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