Rina approves First MR Tanker; Worley, ABB and IBM collaborate
The design combines LNG with steam in a Helbio gas reformer to split LNG molecules into hydrogen and CO2.
RINA has announced the Approval in Principle (AiP) of Swedish designer FKAB Marine Design’s hydrogen-powered MR Tanker, the first AiP of a design that uses currently viable technology and fuels to achieve IMO 2050 targets.
Designed by FKAB, the propulsion combines the ship’s fuel (LNG) with steam to produce hydrogen and CO2. The MR LNG/hydrogen-fuelled vessel results from a joint project with ABB and Helbio (a subsidiary of Metacon AB).
The MR tanker design combines LNG with steam in a Helbio gas reformer to split LNG molecules into hydrogen and CO2. Hydrogen is then directly used to fuel the internal combustion engines and fuel cells in ABB’s hybrid marine power system. The CO2 is captured by splitting the LNG molecules rather than exhaust gas.
The hydrogen is created onboard the vessel, and all necessary equipment can be easily fitted on deck so that shipowners can convert existing vessels. The CO2 is liquefied by the cryogenic steam from the LNG and can be used as the inert gas for the tanker. No additional bunkering, aside from normal LNG, is required. The hydrogen produced can power the main engine, fuel cells, or a hybrid of the two, whereas the AiP covers the hybrid option.
Worley, ABB and IBM green hydrogen collaboration
Worley has signed an MoU with ABB and IBM to collaborate on helping energy companies build and operate green hydrogen facilities more efficiently and at scale.
The planned three-party collaboration aims to develop an integrated, digitally enabled solution for facility owners to build green hydrogen assets more quickly, cheaply, and safely and operate them more efficiently.
Worley will provide engineering, procurement, and construction expertise across all project stages. ABB will provide offerings for electrical infrastructure, automation, operations digitalisation and optimisation, and energy management. IBM will provide systems integration services and data framework and management solutions. The three parties will provide operations and maintenance services, leveraging their combined digital expertise.
