Norway launches liquid hydrogen-fuelled ferry

The MF Hydra ferry was put into operation in Norway last week as the world's first ship running on liquid hydrogen, Norwegian ferry operator Norled said.

“After a lot of development and testing, we are now looking forward to welcoming passengers on board for a zero-emission journey between Hjelmeland and Nesvik,” said Norled chief technology officer Erlend Hovland.

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Norled led the project to develop the technology for MF Hydra. Its partners include Linde Engineering of Germany, which supplied the hydrogen systems on board, and Danish Ballard, which developed the fuel cells that produce electricity from hydrogen.

The development of new technology was enabled by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA), which made liquid hydrogen a requirement in its tender specification.

Norled has a track record of adopting innovative and sustainable solutions. In 2015, the company launched the world's first battery-operated, propeller-driven ferry -- the MF Ampere.

It said the pilot project in Hjelmeland is important for global shipping as liquid hydrogen could have a key role in the green maritime transition.