Echandia builds hydrogen-powered fuel cell catamaran
Echandia will build a completely emission-free high-speed Beluga24 catamaran to be operated in Stockholm’s waters.
Echandia today (28th October) has signed an agreement with Green City Ferries AB to supply the world’s first emission-free high-speed catamaran with an integrated battery and hydrogen-based fuel cell system.
The deal, which is worth SEK 14 million (US$ 1.6 million), will see the installation completed in the autumn of 2022. The ferry will be equipped with an integrated system with both batteries and hydrogen fuel cells, which is significantly more energy-efficient than solutions with separate systems.
Echandia will convert the Beluga24 model, designed by Teknicraft in New Zealand and the Italian Studio Sculli and is built in carbon fibre by Green City Ferries north of Stockholm. Echandia will install high energy efficient and lighter integrated battery and fuel cell systems.
Magnus Eriksson, CEO, Echandia, said, “[This project] not only contributes to reducing emissions from Stockholm’s waterborne local transport but is also the first in the world with an emission-free high-speed catamaran.”
Fredrik Thornell, CEO, Green City Ferries, noted, “Compared to other tenders, Echandia’s solution means significantly lower total weight with high safety.”
Echandia is a Swedish developer of advanced battery and fuel cell systems for maritime electrification. Green City Ferries AB (GCF) is a systems integrator for emission-free waterborne transportation based in Stockholm, Sweden.
