In line with the state’s more extensive climate change plans, Sweden has decided to phase out the use of fossil fuels. It’s a risky move for the heavy fuel industry, but it’s not impossible. The world’s first emissions-free high-speed catamaran is set to be powered partially by a hydrogen-based fuel cell system supplied by Echandia, the company stated.
Stockholm-based Echandia has signed an agreement to supply the world’s first emission-free catamaran with an integrated battery and hydrogen-based fuel cell system. The client is Green City Ferries AB, and the ferry is planned for commercial traffic in Stockholm. Echandia will be rewarded $1.6 million for the installation, which will take place in 2022.
The Beluga24 model, designed by Teknicraft and Sculli, is built in carbon fiber by Green City Ferries in Stockholm’s northwestern suburbs.
Magnus Eriksson, CEO of Echandia, said, “Sweden has been lagging behind internationally when it comes to electrifying shipping, but now the pace is increasing here as well.
In Stockholm, the fleet of vessels is responsible for about 5% of total energy consumption but 50% of current yearly carbon dioxide emissions. Green City Ferries is building it to support decarbonization efforts and reduce road traffic by transitioning to emission-free and efficient marine transport in many of the world’s cities. With the help of Klimatklivet and the European Union, their plan gets underway in Stockholm. Before the very last stages of production, Green City Ferries will seek additional external funding.
“We are proud to be a part of this project that not only contributes to reducing emissions from Stockholm’s waterborne local transport but is also the first in the world with an emission-free high-speed catamaran. The ferry will be equipped with an integrated system with both batteries and hydrogen, which is significantly more energy efficient compared to solutions with separate systems.”
“We are very pleased to collaborate with Echandia in this groundbreaking project, which we see great interest in globally. We will build a completely emission-free high-speed catamaran intended to operate in Stockholm’s waters. Echandia is the perfect partner for that. Compared to other tenders, Echandia’s solution means significantly lower total weight with high safety,” Fredrik Thornell, CEO, Green City Ferries, stated.