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DFDS probes hydrogen potential

[ April 17, 2024   //   ]

DFDS has been working with H2 Energy to analyse the feasibility of retrofitting large ferries with a hydrogen propulsion system, supported by the Danish Maritime Fund.

Green Hydrogen can be produced with water and renewable energy only and because of its high energy content, could become a significant fuel source for ships and other applications. 

DFDS has recently launched its ‘Vessels of tomorrow’ programme, which will see two methanol, two electric and two ammonia vessels added to the company’s fleet over the next six years. Although hydrogen is not included in the programme and DFDS is not planning to use hydrogen as a fuel in the very near future, DFDS will continue to contribute to research into the fuel as part of its analysis of possible net-zero scenarios for both vessels and road transport.

With support from the Danish Maritime Fund, DFDS, H2 Energy and LLoyds Register set out to uncover the technical and operational feasibility of hydrogen propulsion systems by analysing the main aspects of a complete hydrogen ecosystem using the DFDS cargo ro ro vessel Magnolia Seaways on the Esbjerg/Immingham route.

The scenario included sourcing green hydrogen from H2 Energy’s large scale production facility in Esbjerg, on-shore supply and logistics, including bunkering, application of a hydrogen-fuelled powertrain, and safety measures. The Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub also contributed a safety risk assessment and issued an ‘Approval in Principle’ (AiP) for the concept and the initial design of the hydrogen systems.

The study concluded that retrofitting Magnolia Seaways with a hydrogen fuelled propulsion system was technically feasible and commercially viable under a set of basic assumptions.

However, building an entire hydrogen ecosystem to produce hydrogen cost-effectively and at scale is complex. Everything from energy infrastructure and policy support must be in place.

Founder of H2 Energy, Rolf Huber, said: “Hydrogen holds great potential for the decarbonisation of the logistics sector, both at sea and on land. Our new study is only one part of a larger puzzle that involves both energy providers, ports, government authorities and end users such as shipping companies and so on. This project adds further knowledge about hydrogen and its potential for decarbonisation. It is a great starting point for the further development of hydrogen ecosystems to enable large scale application of hydrogen fuel in the future.”

H2 Energy is involved in several projects to establish hydrogen production, including one of the world’s largest facilities in Esbjerg and it has previously helped develop solutions to convert trucks and heavy transport from diesel to hydrogen.

DFDS itself has ambitions to reach a 45% reduction in TtW CO2 intensity from ferries and 75% reduction in WtW greenhouse gas intensity from road transport, terminals and warehousing by 2030. By 2050 the target is to achieve net zero, looking into all possible options.

Head of innovation and partnerships, Mads Bentzen Billesø, commented: “We are following several pathways to pursue our net zero targets. Hydrogen shows promise, and it is one of the fuels we are analysing as a potential fuel source in the future, both on land and at sea. We are collaborating closely with partners, suppliers and other stakeholders to address and solve known challenges associated with using zero-emission fuels. We need to build knowledge about the different options to make smart decisions, and it is important that we share this knowledge.”

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