Naval architect Norwegian Ship Designs says that Approval in Principle (AiP) has been granted by Lloyd’s Register (LR) for two hydrogen fuelled ferries to be operated by Torghatten Nord between the Lofoten Islands and Bodø in Northern Norway.
The ferries are scheduled to enter operation in October 2025, and will offer an annual CO2 emission reduction of about 26,500 t.
Torkild Torkildsen, CEO Torghatten Nord, said: “We are very pleased with the approval in principle, and we are proud to be working with leading experts on hydrogen onboard ships. Developing hydrogen fuelled ferries for such a long and rough open ocean crossing is a world class project for CO2 emission reduction, impacting the maritime sector as well as the local communities in Bodø and the Lofoten Islands.”
The LR AiP means that no major conceptual issues potentially preventing the gaining of classification and regulatory compliance have been identified, meaning construction can now get under way.
Markus Büsig, head of Lloyd’s Register Northern Europe, said: “We are pleased to grant Torghatten Nord AiP based on comprehensive analysis of the concept and technology. We have been present in Norway for more than 150 years, but I do not know if Norwegians realise how big and important this project is for green shipping worldwide. The project will spearhead the use of hydrogen as a safe and sustainable future fuel.”
Norwegian Ship Design CEO Gjermund Johannessen said: “No similar ferries to the ferries being developed exist in the world today. We therefore had to start from scratch and develop completely new designs and solutions. We have considered a range of concepts, and in the end we chose a unique concept using hydrogen’s physical properties for achieving optimal safety.”
A comprehensive HAZID (Hazard Identification) has been conducted, where hydrogen safety experts HYEX Safety and potential equipment suppliers took part, in order to ensure an equivalent safety level as on a modern diesel powered ferry. The Norwegian Maritime Authority has been part of this process and has also had separate meetings with LR before the concept was granted AiP.
Johannessen concluded: “The ferries we are now developing is likely to set the standard for a new class of ferries powered by hydrogen. Our clear philosophy is that new technology never shall compromise safety, function and efficiency.”
