MF Hydra
MF Hydra is the world's first liquid hydrogen-powered ferry. Delivered in 2021, the 82.4-meter-long vessel can accommodate up to 300 passengers and 80 vehicles.[1] It has two 200 kW fuel cells, two 440 kW diesel generators, a 1.36 MWh battery,[2] and two Shottel thrusters[3] with a maximum speed of 9 knots.[4] The vessel is operated by the Norwegian company Norled.[5][6]
Equipped with an 80 cbm liquid hydrogen storage tank, the MF Hydra ferry was estimated to reduce direct annual carbon emissions by up to 95%.[7] However, because the hydrogen is produced in Germany,[8][9] the vessel's upstream emissions and cost are estimated to be more than double those of a diesel ferry.[10]
Design & Operations
[edit]Constructed by Westcon Yards with design from LMG Marin, MF Hydra measures 82.4 meters in length overall, with a beam of 17.5m, draft of 2.9m, and a depth of 4.1m. The vessel has a gross tonnage of 2,628 or 788 net.[11] The vessel incorporates double-wall cryogenic storage for 80 cubic meters or 5.6 tons of liquid hydrogen at -253°C, [12] enabling up to 12 days of operation or ~1,000 nautical miles.[13] The hull is constructed from steel in a double-ended configuration to facilitate bidirectional loading and unloading for short-sea ferry routes.[14]
The ferry serves a ~11 km round-trip route between Hjelmeland, Skipavik, and Nesvik in Norway, multiple times daily, since entering service in March 2023.[15] It contributes to improved local air quality and reduced noise pollution, with hydrogen systems cutting NOx emissions by up to 90% and particulate matter by 99% relative to diesel.[16]
Criticism
[edit]The operational expenses are estimated to be 3x-4x greater than diesel ferries due to hydrogen production and supply chain inefficiencies. When upstream emissions of Germany's grid, hydrogen refinement / compression / liquefaction / leaks, diesel truck transport are factored in; it is estimated MF Hydra has double the emissions of a conventional diesel ferry.[17] While green hydrogen could help address emission concerns, it remains more expensive;[18] and may be a net greenhouse negative depending on hydrogen leakage with GWP100 of ~11.6x versus CO2.[19]
References
[edit]- ↑ Tamim, Baba (2023-04-02). "'MF Hydra': World's first liquid hydrogen-powered ferry gets operational". interestingengineering.com. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
- ↑ "Mf Hydra Car Ferry Norway Liquefied Liquide Hydrogen Powered Ballard Fuel Cells Norled".
- ↑ Viaintermedia.com (2023-03-31). "Hydrogen - Hydrogen-fuelled ferry MF Hydra to commence operations in Norway". Renewable Energy Magazine, at the heart of clean energy journalism. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
- ↑ "A successful start for new zero-emission technology with the MF Hydra". Statens vegvesen (in Norwegian Bokmål). 2023-06-29. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
- ↑ "'MF Hydra' : World's First Liquid Hydrogen-powered Ferry Unveiled - Raman Academy". 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
- ↑ FuelCellsWorks (October 2021). "World's First Liquid Hydrogen-Powered Vessel Wins Ship Of The Year Award". Retrieved 2023-11-20.
- ↑ "'MF Hydra': World's first liquid hydrogen-powered ferry gets operational".
- ↑ "World's first hydrogen-powered ferry in Norway to run on green gas from Germany". 9 March 2021. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
- ↑ Böck, Hanno (24 April 2025). "Why power a short-distance Ferry with Liquefied Hydrogen?". industrydecarbonization.com.
- ↑ "Norway's Ferry Operator Norled Could Have Saved Money & Staff by Skipping Hydrogen". 21 October 2025.
- ↑ "VESSEL REVIEW | Hydra – Norled takes delivery of ferry designed to run on liquid hydrogen". 12 August 2021.
- ↑ "Westcon | News | MF Hydra wins Ship of the Year 2021".
- ↑ "Norled's hydrogen ferry approved for service".
- ↑ "VESSEL REVIEW | Hydra – Norled takes delivery of ferry designed to run on liquid hydrogen". 12 August 2021.
- ↑ "WATCH: MF Hydra starts world's first voyage on emission-free liquid hydrogen". 31 March 2023.
- ↑ Jayabal, Ravikumar (March 2025). "Hydrogen energy storage in maritime operations: A pathway to decarbonization and sustainability". International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 109: 1133–1144. Bibcode:2025IJHE..109.1133J. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.02.207.
- ↑ "Norway's Ferry Operator Norled Could Have Saved Money & Staff by Skipping Hydrogen". 21 October 2025.
- ↑ "It's Not Easy Being Green - Why Almost Nobody is Buying Green Hydrogen".
- ↑ Bjørnæs, Christian. "Global warming potential of hydrogen estimated", Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research, June 7, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023