MAN powers world’s first H2 superyacht

Known as ‘Project 821’, the 118.8m superyacht is currently being constructed by Dutch designer and builder, Feadship.

Hydrogen as a marine fuel is still emerging and MAN Cryo faced a number of challenges during the project, owing in part to a lack of design codes and standards.

The company – a subsidiary of MAN Energy Solutions – approached Lloyd’s Register with its below-deck tank design, reportedly a first of its kind in the world.

“The alternative design-approval process proved challenging from time to time but – thanks to good cooperation between MAN Cryo, Lloyd’s Register and Feadship – we managed to successfully resolve all issues,” said Sofia Liedholm, project manager – MAN Cryo.

“MAN Cryo is a frontrunner when it comes to marine fuel systems and, from this project, we now have further knowledge to bring with us into whatever the next opportunity will be to develop a more sustainable marine sector.”

MAN Cryo’s scope of supply for the project encompasses:

• a 92m³ vacuum-insulated type C tank, storing liquid hydrogen at -253 degrees Celsius
• a tank connection space (TCS) including necessary process equipment such as vaporisers, control valves and safety valves
• a bunker station, enabling shore-to-ship bunkering of liquid hydrogen
• control and automation systems, including the ‘tank prediction tool’, a feature that simulates tank pressure and tank-filling levels and helps crew to predict and plan bunkering operations
• a vent mast
• interconnecting hydrogen piping

The fuel cell can provide a week’s worth of silent operation at anchor, or emission-free navigation at 10 knots when in harbour or sailing in protected marine zones.