Cochin Shipyard to design and construct two hydrogen-powered ships for Samskip Group
Indian shipbuilder, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has received an order from Norwegian-based Samskip Group for the design and construction of two zero-emission feeder container vessels that will be powered by hydrogen.
Under the Norwegian Government’s green funding programme, the ships are set to be able to carry 365, 45-ft high cube containers, intended to serve the European market.
Powered by hydrogen fuel cells in a hybrid power system with a diesel generator backup for longer endurance, each vessel is expected to achieve around 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide reduction per year.
Scheduled for delivery from the third quarter of 2025, the vessel will be propelled by Azimuth Thrusters which CSL says will offer high manoeuvrability.
In 2020, the then Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, told the 5th International Conference on Maritime Hydrogen and Marine Energy, that the Government would increase the number of hydrogen pilots and demonstration projects.
Highlighting Norwegian upcoming maritime projects, Solberg said that Samskip was working to build and develop profitable maritime container transport using hydrogen and fuel cells.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) set the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target of at least 50% by 2050, compared to 2008 levels.
Speaking at H2 View’s Mobility Snap Summit in November (2022), Dipak Mistry, Director of Commercial Partnerships at Ceres told viewers fuel cells could play a key role in the future of the maritime industry.
