Hydrocell picks Genevos fuel cell solution for first hydrogen passenger vessel in Venice

Italy-based hydrogen powertrain specialist Hydrocell has selected Genevos, a French specialist in hydrogen and fuel cell power systems integration for the maritime sector, to provide a fuel cell solution for the first hydrogen-powered passenger vessel in Venice.

The collaboration, announced during the SMM Hamburg trade fair, will see Genevos supply and commission a 40kW marine-certified hydrogen fuel cell power system (Hydrogen Power Module, ‘HPM’) to the 17-meter trawler Nobody’s Perfect to be retrofitted from diesel to a clean hydrogen-electric energy system.

A hazard and operability study (HAZOP) will also be performed by Genevos to identify and manage hazards in the safety design.

Bulit in 1978 in Bordeaux, France, Nobody’s Perfect is the last type of wooden fishing boats to be used on the Atlantic Coast. Once installed with the hydrogen-electric energy system, the vessel will operate in the Venice lagoon from the second quarter of 2025.

Philippe Davignon, Sales Director at Genevos, said: “We are delighted to drive forward clean mobility in this spectacular city where all transport is on-water, and importantly to fulfil this with a retrofit, lengthening the life of a historic vessel soon approaching its 50th anniversary.

“Transforming the vessel to hydrogen-electric with our drop-in HPM technology enables a quick and effective solution in this critical environmental transition. We are excited to work with Hydrocell on delivering this benchmark project and look forward to seeing this vessel sailing silently and emission-free through the canals of Venice from late spring next year.”

Karl Manfredi, CEO at Hydrocell, commented: “Our boat ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ will be the first retrofitted passenger vessel hosting a fully-integrated and certified marine hydrogen powertrain. Since we only aim for the best partners, Genevos was the best option for us.”

Earlier this year, Hydrocell secured hydrogen supplies for the vessel through an agreement with NatPower H, part of the NatPower Group – the developer of infrastructure for the production, storage and refuelling of green hydrogen for pleasure boating.

The contract covers the supply of approximately 4.5 tons of hydrogen over three years from one of the stations to be installed by NatPower H or in mobile mode.