Samskip places 2+2 order with Cochin for H2-fuel cell feeders

The vessels are scheduled for delivery in Q3 2025, and will be able to carry 365 45 ft high cube containers, according to a release from the shipyard. The vessels will be equipped with onshore power supply connections to permit cold ironing in port. In zero emission mode, each vessel is expected to achieve around 25,000 tons of CO2 reduction per year. 

The vessel design was produced by Naval Dynamics AS. 

The ambitious project initially was intended to be designed for autonomous operation between Norway and Rotterdam as part of a collaboration between Samskip and autonomous vessel operator Ocean Infinity. No mention of the Ocean Infinity was made in the most recent press release. 

Earlier press reports estimated that each vessel would be equipped with a 3.2MW H2-fuelled fuel cell. The shipyard did not specify whether the vessels would be equipped with a liquid hydrogen containment system or would operate on compressed hydrogen.  

Hydrogen supply chain developments

Samskip did not provide any detail about how the H2-fuelled container feeder vessels would ensure adequate availability of hydrogen as fuel for the vessels. The project previously received funding from the Norwegian government under its Pilot-E technology accelerator programme. At that stage, the project included Hyon AS, Kongsberg Maritime and Massterly, a Kongsberg Maritime/Wilhelmsen autonomy-focused joint venture, among its collaborators.

The Motorship notes that Hyon AS, the Norwegian hydrogen supplier, signed a contract with Norwegian Hydrogen AS for delivery of a mobile hydrogen refueller for both maritime and land-based applications on 20 March. 

The refueler will initially be used to distribute the hydrogen produced at Norwegian Hydrogen’s plant in Hellesylt. Mobility is vital to support a range of customers in their initial hydrogen pilots. The refueller will be delivered to Norwegian Hydrogen in the third quarter of 2023.