Energy Observer unveils zero-emission, LH2-powered cargo ship concept

February 8, 2022, by Naida Hakirevic Prevljak

French project Energy Observer is launching a design of a multipurpose cargo ship fuelled by liquid hydrogen, a technology that allows zero-emission navigation while offering very high transport capacities and autonomy.

Energy Observer 2 - Kadeg Boucher / JB Epron Design

The move comes after Energy Observer previously developed an autonomous laboratory vessel with the first complete hydrogen chain, capable of producing its own hydrogen with its surplus of renewable energies.

Victorien Erussard, President and founder of Energy Observer, will present the ship on 10 February during the One Ocean Summit in Brest.

Maritime transport accounts for 3% of CO2 emissions annually on a global scale. The ambition of Energy Observer and its partners is to present prototype solutions leaning towards zero-emission for the transport of goods.

The technologies are now mature, with liquid hydrogen storage well mastered, the deployment of liquefiers around the world, and the latest generations of mass-produced fuel cells. Energy Observer is now tackling the latest technological challenges, such as the integration of large tanks or the management of cryogenic temperatures, thanks to the support of its historical and technological partners.

The main partner of the Energy Observer is Air Liquide, which masters the production, storage, distribution, and safety of liquid hydrogen and thus brings its technical expertise and its capacity for innovation.

Energy Observer and its strategic partner, the CMA CGM Group, analyze together the commercial and operational parameters of this new generation of cargo ship. CMA CGM and Energy Observer thus confirm their commitment to the energy transition of maritime transport.

EODev, the industrial subsidiary of Energy Observer that designed the first certified hydrogen boat, and develops accessible and marinized systems, is an expert in fuel cells’ integration in demanding environments. LMG Marin, the naval architecture firm that pioneered decarbonated propulsion and developed the world’s first liquid hydrogen ferry, Hydra, is the design office in charge of this innovative project.

Ayro, the company created by Marc Van Peteghem, to propose auxiliary propulsion systems for large ships, and for which Energy Observer was the first operational testbed, will equip the ship with its Oceanwings.

Another partner is Bureau Veritas, a key player in the evolution of maritime regulations and innovations, which has accompanied Energy Observer since the launch of its first hydrogen-powered vessel.

Finally, the French Maritime Cluster and the T2EM Institute is working with academic, scientific, and industrial partners to create the Institute for the Eco-Energy Transition of the Maritime Sector (T2EM), whose objective is to steer and implement the national structuring program “Zero Emission Ship & Port” to achieve the goals of decarbonisation, emissions reduction and respect for the biodiversity of the sector.

Energy Observer 2 is the Institute’s “flagship,” the first full-scale demonstrator to power the entire industry.

The specifications of the new ship concept have been established according to the urgent need to renew the fleets of multipurpose cargo ships of about 5,000 tons deadweight.

Used on intra-continental and coastal routes, those represent an alternative to road transportation and can call at modest ports without heavy logistics. Constituting nearly 37% of the world fleet, often of old and polluting design, this type of vessel is therefore identified as a priority segment for the ambitions of Energy Observer and its partners in their quest to accelerate the transition.

The main features of Energy Observer 2 are:

Length: 120 meters
Width: 22 meters
Draft: 5,5 meters
The surface of the wings: 1450 m²
Deadweight: 5,000 tons
Containers: 240 TEU
RoRo bridge: 480 linear meters (trucks, vehicles, and containers)
Tween deck height: 6.5 meters
Access ramp: 15 meters wide
Commercial speed: 12 knots
Electric propulsion: 4 MW
Fuel cell power (RexH2 EODev): 2.5 MW
Liquid hydrogen tanks (LH2): 70 tons (1000 m3)
Range: up to 4,000 nautical miles.

“With this demonstrator ship, we want to go all the way in decarbonizing medium-sized industrial ships, using hydrogen directly as a fuel. We believe in the capacity of the French maritime industry to become an international model, benefiting from an agile and efficient research-industry ecosystem,” Erussard commented.

“The adventure of hydrogen is above all a story of pioneers. With Energy Observer, we share this desire to push back the technological frontiers to take concrete action in the face of the climate emergency. Liquid hydrogen will play a major role in the decarbonation of maritime transport,” Matthieu Giard, Member of the Executive Committee in charge of Hydrogen activities, Air Liquide, said.

“Air Liquide’s experience and, that of the various players involved in the Energy Observer 2 project will help prove that liquid hydrogen is low-carbon energy adapted to large cargo ships. That project opens up important prospects by touching on the heavy transport sector, for which hydrogen is particularly relevant.”

“This new stage in the strategic partnership between Energy Observer and CMA CGM Group marks the acceleration of our common commitment to the emergence of prototypes towards low-carbon solutions,” Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President, Assets and Operations, CMA CGM Group, pointed out.

“Given the importance of the challenges posed by the energy transition, we believe that several technologies will have to coexist, depending on the types of flows and distances to be covered. That is why, in addition to our commitment to bio and e-methane, we also aim to work with our industrial partners on the potential of hydrogen, and the reasonable uses that can be made of it. We are excited to be able to work with Energy Observer on the opportunities that this technology can bring and in which business developments it can be used.”

“The march towards decarbonation of maritime transport has been a reality for several years, with the construction of LNG-powered ships and many other innovations, including wind propulsion,” Frédéric Moncany de St-Aignan, President of the French Maritime Cluster, noted.

“With this first “zero-emission” multipurpose cargo ship, which will embark and validate innovative technologies at sea, the entire group of shipowners, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, energy providers, ports, service companies, academics, and scientists grouped in the new Institute for the Eco-Energy Transition of the Maritime Sector (I-T2EM) will benefit from the technological and operational feedback of Energy Observer 2.”