SalMar to operate world’s first hydrogen-powered workboat
What is claimed to be the world’s first hydrogen-powered workboat is preparing to go into operation for a Norwegian fish farmer.
The vessel (pictured) has been developed by Moen Marin, the largest supplier of aquaculture work vessels in collaboration with Moen Verft and Marin Design, and with the support of the Norwegian government technical support organisation Enova.
It will be operated by SalMar, the world’s second largest salmon company.
Moen Marin said: “With the support we have received through the Pilot-E programme, the hydrogen boat will be ready for operation as early as Q2 2024.
“Then the vessel will bunker 120 kilograms of hydrogen in a total of four tanks from Hexagon. The boat is of the catamaran type, and will be a hydrogen-electric hybrid, with a battery of 276 kWh in addition to the four hydrogen tanks.
“At the same time, a fuel cell from ZEM AS will also be installed, with a capacity of 145 kW. This vessel will be a zero-emission boat and will have the potential for a reduction of 300 tonnes of CO2e emissions per year.
SalMar is also part of the consortium and is the one who will commission and operate the vessel.
While the vessel has been under construction, a pilot plant has also been established on Kråkøya in Nærøysund, Norway, where water and wind power will be used to produce hydrogen.
Moen Marin said the facility, which has been established by NTE and H2 Marine, will function as a “charging station” for the hydrogen vessel – in addition to being a facility for the production, storage and bunkering of green hydrogen.
“This ground-breaking project is a major milestone for the aquaculture industry, and pulls us in the right direction at a time when innovative, sustainable solutions like this will be absolutely necessary,” it added.
“With only five hydrogen hubs nationally, of which the facility on Kråkøya will be the only one set up for maritime use, we are therefore helping to start a completely new market.”
