Pioneering US hydrogen ferry starts trials
Shipbuilder All American Marine and vessel owner SWITCH Maritime said August 18 that they have started sea trials on what they said was the first hydrogen fuel-cell-powered ferry in the country. The vessel is the 70-ft, 70-passenger Sea Change which will operate off California.
“This will be the first hydrogen fuel cell vessel in the US, representing a monumental step in the US maritime industry’s transition to a sustainable future,” they said in a joint statement.
Sea Change uses a 360-kW fuel cell and can store about 250 kg of hydrogen. The companies said the powertrain system is comparable to diesel-powered systems, but with zero emissions and lower maintenance.
“Hydrogen-fuel cell technology will prove to be a robust alternative to conventional powertrain technologies,” All American’s CEO Ron Wille said.
The entire project draws support from a $3mn grant from the California Air Resources Board.
The maritime industry is looking to join the energy transition by pursuing alternate fuels. In Texas, the Port of Corpus Christi signed a preliminary hydrogen agreement last week with Howard Midstream Energy Partners, which operates the Javelina refinery.
The port authority said the Javelina refinery can produce up to 60mn ft3/d of hydrogen through a combination of so-called blue production processes and waste gas.