Consortium to produce hydrogen onboard to decarbonise shipping

A consortium consists of Wartsila, Rina, ABB, Helbio and the Liberian Registry to deliver a solution with hydrogen as a fuel for the shipping industry.

The aim is to have a scalable and sustainable solution that offers the shipping industry a pathway to low-carbon operations within a reasonable time frame.

Wärtsilä and ABB will support the application of hydrogen in powering internal combustion engines and fuel cells, respectively, while Helbio will provide the technology and manufacturing of gas reformers.

Rina and the Liberian Registry will provide advice and guidance on applying rules and regulations for novel concept alternative designs, based on Hazid/Hazop analyses and specific rules for this kind of arrangement.

The consortium aims to produce hydrogen onboard using readily available LNG, making the solution viable and easily deployable. The concept is based on combining LNG with steam to produce hydrogen and CO2. The hydrogen will be used directly in a mix with natural gas in internal combustion engines or in fuel cells, eliminating the need for hydrogen storage onboard. The CO2 will be liquefied and later disposed of ashore for carbon storage. Tankers can use the stored CO2 as inert gas during discharge.

The required equipment can be fitted on the deck of a commercial vessel. The technology concept will help the marine sector’s gradual transition from LNG to hydrogen without any significant adjustments to a vessel’s onboard technologies.

Lars Anderson, Director at Wärtsilä Marine Power, said, “Our gas engines are already able to use mixtures of hydrogen and LNG, and our future efforts will be to reach 100% hydrogen fuel.”