Norway launches "world's first" hydrogen ferry

Norwegian shipping company Norled has announced the launch of the MF Hydra, which the company says is the first ferry in the world to run on zero-emission liquid hydrogen. The technological breakthrough is part of a greater plan to develop a system of regulations that will enable Norwegian passenger ships to run on hydrogen.

Anders Sæternes, of NPRA Ferry Management, said the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) was proud of its role in procuring the new vessel.

“We have a tradition of using our role as a major purchaser to accelerate development towards the goals set for the transport sector,” he said. “It is important for us to use our purchasing power for transition. Zero-emission vessels play an important part in this.”

Sæternes said the NPRA has a 20-year history of green ferry innovation, beginning in the year 2000 when the MF Glutra became the first car ferry to run off liquefied natural gas (LNG), which reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional diesel operation. Eleven years ago, the NPRA issued a tender which resulted in the MF Ampere (launched by Norled in 2015), understood to be the world’s first electrical ferry with a propeller drive. Today, the country has around 70 electric ferries in operation.

“Therefore, by putting the world’s first hydrogen ferry into operation, we now take yet another substantial leap towards the goal of zero emissions — in regards to ferries as well as the general maritime industry — both in Norway and internationally,” Sæternes said.

Norled CEO Heidi Wolden described the MF Hydra’s launch on 31 March as “a historic day, both for Norled and for Norway as a leading shipping nation”.

Since the turn of the year, Norled has been carrying out system tests at the quay in Hjelmeland. In recent weeks, the company ran sea trials and received the final approvals from the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA).

“This is fantastic! There are only two parties in the world that use liquid hydrogen as a fuel. These are Norled with the MF Hydra, and then the space industry using it as fuel for launches,” said Erlend Hovland, Chief Technology Officer of Norled.

“This says something about the giant technology leap now taken for the maritime industry. After a lot of development and testing, we are now looking forward to welcoming passengers on board for a zero-emission journey between Hjelmeland and Nesvik.”

Wolden concluded, “It’s important for us to be at the forefront when it comes to technology development. Investing in innovation, sustainability and collaboration to develop new solutions is our way of taking social responsibility.”

Image caption: MF Hydra, with white hydrogen tank visible. The steam is from water. Image credit: Norled.