BKK, Equinor and Air Liquide are at the forefront of a new initiative that wants to build a complete liquid hydrogen supply chain for the maritime industry.
The project has now been awarded 33.5 million from the support scheme PILOT-E, which will help to speed up the development and implementation of new products and services in environmentally friendly energy technology.
The industry players aim to make liquid hydrogen available for commercial shipping within the first quarter of 2024. The project encompasses the entire value chain from production, storage, and transport to use on board-specific vessels. The other project participants are NCE Maritime CleanTech, NORCE, Norled, NorSea Group, Viking Cruises, and Wilhelmsen.
Green and sustainable shipping is a prerequisite for achieving national and international emission targets.
Image (from left): Lars Strandberg, VP Hydrogen Energy Europe Industries Air Liquide, Henrik B. Håkonsen Group Controller BKK, Pierre de Raphélis Director Business Development Air Liquide, Bjørn Sundland Business Developer BKK, Per Sandberg Business Developer Equinor and Richard Allen Leading Consultant Asset Optimization Equinor .
International shipping today points to liquid hydrogen as one of the optimal zero-emission fuels for ships with high energy needs. Liquid hydrogen is among other things chosen for Norway’s first hydrogen ferry, which will be in operation for Norled at the Hjelmeland connection from 2021. The consortium’s goal is to contribute to growth in the market by offering liquid hydrogen produced from electrolysis.
Furthermore, together with NorSea Group, Willhelmsen will develop a new and flexible liquid hydrogen distribution concept, which also includes zero discharge vessels and terminals, at NorSea’s storage and bunkering bases. Norled, Wilhelmsen and Viking Ocean Cruises participate in the project as users of the hydrogen in their vessels.
The hydrogen terminals will also enable supply to other types of end-users, such as buses and heavy transport.
Important for the industry
– This is an important day for the industry and for the maritime sector. Hydrogen projects are currently underway in cruise ships, offshore vessels, ferries, and speedboats, but in order to accelerate shipping’s transition to zero discharge solutions, we need to establish a green hydrogen supply chain. This project thus offers great potential for both industrial building and significant emission reductions, says BKK CEO Jannicke Hilland.
– Air Liquide is proud to be part of this consortium. We will contribute to the project with more than 40 years of experience in the safe and reliable production and distribution of liquid hydrogen. Liquid hydrogen produced from renewable energy will be a competitive zero-emission alternative for shipping when produced at strategic locations in large volumes and when offered through an efficient and secure supply chain. Our goal is to facilitate an efficient supply chain that accelerates this transition, says Frédéric Despréaux, VP Northern Europe and CIS Countries at Air Liquide.
First of its kind in the world
– This value chain will be the first of its kind in the world, and it will be an important step in the development of cleaner fuels for shipping. Equinor is pleased to be part of a strong consortium and to collaborate with public and private players in the highly innovative and forward-looking Norwegian maritime ecosystem, says Steinar Eikaas, Vice President of Low Carbon Solutions in Equinor.
– We are pleased to be able to support an ambitious and innovative project that can have a major impact on the development of emission-free shipping, both in Norway and internationally. Hydrogen is one of the solutions we have high expectations for, and this project will help to promote Norway’s leading position in the development of green maritime solutions, ”says Trond Moengen, head of PILOT-E.
About PILOT-E The
Pilot-E scheme is a financing offer for the Norwegian business community, established by the Research Council, Innovation Norway, and Enova. The aim of the scheme is for completely new products and services in environmentally friendly energy technology to be developed and used more quickly to contribute to emission cuts both in Norway and internationally.
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