Lloyd’s Register approves hydrogen fuel cell retrofit for research vessel

Classification society Lloyd's Register (LR) has granted approval for a hydrogen fuel cell retrofit project on the UK-flagged research vessel Prince Madog.

IMAGE: Research vessel Prince Madog. VesselFinder

Led by vessel owner O.S. Energy in partnership with marine engineering firm Ecomar Propulsion, the project involved the development of a gaseous hydrogen storage system and the integration of fuel cells, batteries and associated onboard systems.

The approval follows LR’s earlier design certification, which confirmed the safe integration of the hydrogen propulsion system and its compliance with class requirements.

“The Prince Madog will be the first sea-going, manned hydrogen retrofit of its kind, and the project is helping to establish a pathway for the adoption of hydrogen propulsion on workboats and larger commercial vessels, supporting the maritime industry's transition towards Net Zero 2050,” said Oliver Cornforth, head of projects at O.S. Energy.

The retrofit project was launched in 2023.

By Tuhin Roy

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