Hamburg-based eCap Marine has secured two contracts to supply hydrogen-based propulsion systems to be installed in zero-emission bulk carriers for Møre Sjø and short-sea container vessels for Samskip.
Hydrogen propulsion solutions are said to be in increasing demand in the marine industry, with various projects emerging on the horizon. eCap Marine is one of the few companies to have retrofitted a commercial vessel, the offshore supply vessel Coastal Liberty, with hydrogen-powered propulsion. The expertise derived from this project opened the doors for more significant orders for eCap Marine.
Construction of two zero-emission short-sea container vessels for logistics provider Samskip has commenced at the Cochin Shipyard in India. The Samskip SeaShuttles are believed to be the first shortsea container vessels to use green hydrogen as fuel, and eCap Marine has been awarded the order to supply hydrogen-powered fuel cells for both vessels. The 3.2MW PEM fuel cells will be installed with marine-approved power electronics, controller and safety systems, along with all interfaces for integration into a containerised system on the aft deck of the SeaShuttles. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2027.
Norwegian shipping company Møre Sjø has signed an order for the construction of two emission-free, hydrogen-powered bulk carriers at Gelibolu Shipyard in Türkiye. The 4,000 dwt newbuilds, which will measure 85m in length, will primarily operate in Norwegian coastal waters and are scheduled for delivery in 2027. With this order, Møre Sjø reaffirms its commitment to hydrogen as an alternative, environmentally friendly fuel for emission-free operation in the sensitive environment of Norwegian fjords.
eCap Marine says it was selected to provide onboard hydrogen solutions, equipping the vessels with 1.7 MWPEM hydrogen fuel cells to transport their dry bulk goods emission-free. The compressed hydrogen tank system, with a capacity of more than 2t per vessel, will be permanently installed on the aft section, with fuel cells and other electrical components located in suitable spaces under deck. eCap Marine’s scope of supply includes an onboard hydrogen bunkering station, marine-approved power electronics, the controller and safety system, and all interfaces to the ship’s power management system.
Lars Ravens, MD eCap Marine, said: “These projects are a significant milestone for eCap Marine – and the maritime energy transition. Our team has worked with engineering enthusiasm to develop scalable hydrogen technology. Our integrated hydrogen systems are now at the core of two ground-breaking vessels. We thank both Møre Sjø and Samskip for entrusting us with these emission-free marine propulsion lighthouse projects.”
According to eCap Marine, there are numerous developments in the market regarding alternative and renewable energy sources and systems. However, there are as yet only very few maritime suppliers, both technical solution manufacturers and shipyards, willing or able to take full responsibility for delivering energy from hydrogen. e-Cap believes the reason it can takes on such responsibility is that its team believes hydrogen will be the energy source of the future for shipping, and can make that happen.
Image: eCap Marine and Samskip sign fuel cell contract (source: eCap Marine)
