BKK, Equinor and Air Liquide are at the forefront of a new initiative that aims to build a complete supply chain for liquid hydrogen for the maritime industry. The project has now been awarded NOK 33.5 million from the PILOT-E funding scheme, which aims to help accelerate the development and deployment of new products and services in environmentally friendly energy technology.
The industry players aim to make liquid hydrogen available for commercial shipping by the first quarter of 2024. The project encompasses the entire value chain from production, storage and transportation 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. International shipping today points to liquid hydrogen as one of the optimal zero-emission fuels for ships with high energy needs. Liquid hydrogen has been chosen for Norway’s first hydrogen ferry, which will be in operation for Norled on the Hjelmeland route from 2021. The consortium’s goal is to contribute to market growth by offering liquid hydrogen produced from electrolysis.
Furthermore, together with NorSea Group, Willhelmsen will develop a new and flexible distribution concept for liquid hydrogen, including zero-emission ships and terminals, at NorSea’s bases for storage and bunkering. Norled, Wilhelmsen and Viking Ocean Cruises are participating 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.
“This is an important day for the industry and for the maritime sector. In Norway, hydrogen projects are currently underway for cruise ships, offshore vessels, ferries and express boats, but in order to accelerate the shipping industry’s transition to zero-emission solutions, we need to establish a supply chain for green hydrogen. This project therefore offers great potential for both industrial development and significant emission reductions,” says Jannicke Hilland, CEO of BKK.
“Air Liquide 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 become a competitive zero-emission alternative for shipping when produced in 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 Lars Strandberg, VP Hydrogen Energy Europe Industries at Air Liquide.
“This value chain will be the first of its kind in the world and an important step in the development of cleaner fuels for shipping. Equinor is excited to be part of a strong consortium and to collaborate with public and private actors in the highly innovative and forward-looking Norwegian maritime ecosystem,” says Vice President for Low carbon solutions in Equinor, Steinar Eikaas.
“We are pleased to be able to support an ambitious and innovative project that can have a major impact on the development towards emission-free shipping, both in Norway and internationally. Hydrogen is one of the solutions we have great 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 funding opportunity for Norwegian businesses established by the Research Council of Norway, Innovation Norway and Enova. The aim of the scheme is to accelerate the development and use of completely new products and services in the field of environmentally friendly energy technology in order to contribute to emission reductions both in Norway and internationally.
Photo (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 Optimisation Equinor.
Contact persons for more information:
Bjørn Sundland
Business developer, BKK
Tel: 951 10 399
Bjorn.Sundland@bkk.no
Per Sandberg
Business developer, Equinor
prsa@equinor.com
Tel: 482 61 451
