Hydrogen-Powered Vessel Set for Trial in North Sea
A ground breaking initiative aiming to trial a hydrogen-powered vessel transporting cargo between Aberdeen and the Northern Isles is progressing at full speed. Scheduled to launch in August 2024, the project, led by Acua Ocean and backed by a consortium, secured over £3.5 million in funding from the UK Government earlier this year.
The innovative waterplane twin hull vessel, equipped with autonomous capabilities and powered by hydrogen, will transport a payload of four to five tonnes. The trial will showcase the zero-emission technology's performance under various sea conditions, demonstrating its endurance, stability, and reliability. In addition, the project aims to highlight the advantages of green short-sea shipping compared to alternative methods such as autonomous drone deliveries. It will also include a demonstration of mobile shore-side hydrogen bunkering.
The vessel, measuring approximately 13.5 meters in length and weighing 22 tonnes, will undergo initial testing of its hydrogen propulsion system in Lowestoft in July/August. The Harbour Acceptance Test (HAT) and Site Acceptance Test (SAT) are scheduled for March-June 2024 at Turnchapel Wharf in Plymouth. The full-scale vessel demonstration will involve a four-week crossing between Aberdeen and Orkney and Shetland in August and October 2024.
Mike Tinmouth, Chief Operating Officer of Acua Ocean, emphasised the inherent safety of conducting the trial using an unmanned vessel. The company will collaborate with Lloyd's Register and the Maritime Coastguard Agency to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals. Tinmouth also highlighted the vessel's long-term applications, which focus on site monitoring, surveying, and protecting offshore renewables and infrastructure, such as wind farms, data cables, and pipelines, as well as preserving marine biodiversity.
In addition to showcasing the vessel and bunkering unit, the project will generate an economic and environmental impact assessment to explore the potential for green shipping corridors between the islands. The initiative will also investigate the use of autonomous vessels for efficient and timely deliveries. Acua Ocean is committed to engaging local businesses, academics, and communities, fostering their involvement in the project.
Funding for this pioneering venture comes from the UK Government's Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition. Another project related to Shetland, involving the trial of an electric vessel on the Papa Stour ferry route, also received funding through the same program. Scheduled for March 2025, this month-long demonstration, the first of its kind in the UK, is led by Coastal Workboats, a company based in Devon and Scotland, and secured over £6 million in government funding.
