Edge Navigation and DNV to develop a hydrogen-powered liquid hydrogen carrier

Norwegian shipping firm Edge Navigation and classification society DNV will collaborate on designing a 20,000-cbm liquid hydrogen (LH2) carrier for European routes.

IMAGE: Illustration of a hydrogen-powered vessel. Getty Images

Edge Navigation will provide the vessel’s technical and operational specifications, while DNV will oversee class assessments. The ship will also be designed for hydrogen-based propulsion, the company said.

“The agreement aims to unlock the potential of LH2 ocean transportation and accelerate the commercial deployment of hydrogen zero-emission propulsion systems,” Edge Navigation added.

The company has not yet shared a timeline for this project.

Development of hydrogen propulsion systems

While not yet confirmed, the vessel is expected to use hydrogen fuel cells for propulsion — a technology that has gained significant traction in the shipping industry.

Most shipping firms currently favour hydrogen-powered fuel cells combined with battery systems over internal combustion engines (ICEs).

According to DNV’s database, there are four hydrogen fuel cell-powered vessels in operation and another 25 on order for delivery by 2031. In comparison, only three hydrogen-capable vessels using ICEs are in operation, with ten more on order for delivery by 2026.

This is because hydrogen ICE technology is still in the early stages of development.

Everllence (formerly MAN Energy Solutions) has completed lab tests on a marine engine running on 20% hydrogen with 80% diesel as pilot fuel. It plans to launch a prototype to use 100% hydrogen as primary fuel by 2030.

Japan’s Yanmar Power Technology has completed land-based trials on its four-stroke hydrogen engine using diesel as a pilot fuel, with vessel demonstrations planned for 2026.

By Konica Bhatt

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