Two Norwegian ferries opt for fuel cells to comply with zero-emission fjord regulation
Swedish battery maker PowerCell has inked a deal to install fuel cell systems on two RoPax ferries that will be deployed in Norway and run on green hydrogen.
PHOTO: Model of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered vessel to be built for Torghatten Nord. Norwegian Ship Design
The Norwegian government has ruled that new ferries should to be emission-free and hydrogen-powered for up to four hours to operate across Vestfjorden by Lofoten. This is to comply with the zero-emission fjord regulation that will come into force on 1 January 2026 - which will make Norwegian fjords the first zero-emission waters in the world.
PowerCell claims that when these vessels run on green hydrogen they will have 26,500 mt/year lower carbon dioxide emissions than if they ran on conventional fuels.
The move is “an important step to establish green hydrogen as the energy source to decarbonize marine commercial operations,” said PowerCell’s chief executive Richard Berkling.
Torghatten Nord expects to take delivery of these vessels in the fourth quarter of 2024 and operate them from 2025.
By Tuhin Roy
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