A 5,500-dwt hydrogen-fuelled bulk carrier to transport aggregates and grain across the North Sea for Norwegian cargo owners has been approved in principle by Lloyd’s Register (LR).
Norwegian shipowner Egil Ulvan Rederi will operate the self-discharging bulker that is scheduled to enter operation in early 2024 on a long-term transport contract with cargo owners Felleskjopet Agri and Heidelberg Cement.
The ship, named With Orca, will be fully zero emission in all operations, LR said.
It will be powered by hydrogen, stored aboard in compressed form and have a fuel cell system for energy production in low load conditions.
Two large wind-powered rotor sails will provide a significant part of the energy required to operate the 88-metre-long vessel and it will have the ability to store excess energy in batteries.
The vessel was designed by Norwegian Ship Design, which is also working on two ocean-going, hydrogen-fuelled ropax ferries for Norwegian ferry operator Torghatten Nord that will operate from October 2025 above the Arctic Circle.
The With Orca’s route will mostly be in open waters in the North Sea, where weather conditions are good for wind-assisted propulsion, carrying aggregates from western to eastern Norway for Heidelberg Cement and grain in the opposite direction for Felleskjopet.
Hydrogen will be supplied by the country’s energy major Statkraft.
Owner and project manager of Egil Ulvan Rederi, Ivar Ulvan said it was an important milestone for the firm, which has been working on the project for more than 18 months.
“We have learned a lot in the process,” he said. The firm operates a fleet of eight vessels, of which six are general cargo vessels.
Per-Kenneth Oye, chief transport officer at Felleskjopet Agri, said the project was initiated to set a standard for others to follow. “Our aim is to achieve sustainable fleet renewal, phasing out old tonnage,” he said.
Sustainable shipping is needed in all industries, added Heidelberg Cement which is one of the world’s largest building materials companies.
LR awarded the approval after completing a risk-based HAZID certification. It was selected for its experience of working with hydrogen-fuelled vessels and projects.
Norwegian Ship Design chief executive Gjermund Johannessen said it had evaluated different solutions for the onboard hydrogen system and had developed a unique and safe concept using hydrogen’s special properties.
