Fuel Cell Powered Vehicle Ferry to be Developed in Scotland
17 Dec 2012
SHFCA member Caledonian Marine Assets Ltd (CMAL) is working closely with Scotland’s main ferry operator to develop the world’s first car and vehicle ferry powered by hydrogen fuel cells. This revolutionary vessel would produce no exhaust fumes and could run on ‘green’ hydrogen produced using renewable electricity generated overnight from local wind farms or other renewables.
CMAL is at the forefront of ferry design, with the world’s first seagoing diesel-electric hybrid ferry being launched in Port Glasgow today, 17th December 2012. The Hallaig was built at Fergusons shipyard in Port Glasgow and will go into service on the Skye-Raasay route in summer 2013. A second diesel-electric hybrid ferry is also being built at Fergusons and will be deployed on Loch Fyne between Portavadie and Tarbert later in 2013.
CMAL has just completed a feasibility study for Scottish Enterprise which proves the viability of the hydrogen vehicle ferry. Guy Platten, chief executive of Caledonian Maritime Assets, said: “I’m confident we can build a ship with hydrogen fuel cells – it’s an exciting prospect. It could be a game changer for Scotland if we go ahead with this. We would have a carbon-neutral ship with no emissions. The potential is massive.” Guy Platten added that £500,000 of further funding will be needed to develop the project design, including into the manufacture and storage of hydrogen in ports. A favourable outcome from this design study could lead to a £15 million demonstration vessel being built within a few years.
Photo: The type of ferry being used for the hybrid and hydrogen ferry projects (courtesy of CMAL)
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