Hydrogen-fueled research vessel to be built to ABS Class

The vessel will feature a hydrogen-based hybrid propulsion system that integrates hydrogen fuel cells with a conventional diesel-electric power system.

PHOTO: Illustration of a hydrogen-fueled research vessel. Glosten

The design has been scaled to enable the ship to use hydrogen-based propulsion for 75% of its mission voyages. For longer voyages, extra power will be derived from diesel generators, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) says.

Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego commissioned the vessel. It was designed by Seattle-based marine engineering firm Glosten.

A research vessel is designed to carry out research at sea.

The ship will be equipped with advanced instruments and laboratories for advancing understanding of the physical and biological processes active in California’s coastal oceans, ABS says.

“This project will be closely watched by the industry as it breaks new ground and demonstrates the capabilities of this promising alternative fuel at sea,” ABS president Christopher J. Wiernicki says.

By Shilpa Sharma

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