Shipping company Offshore Service Gesellschaft’s offshore supply vessel (OSV) Coastal Liberty has set sail on the waters of the Wadden Sea for the first time since it completed its switch to green hydrogen as its main source of energy.
At the end of February 2024, the refitted OSV received class certification by DNV for its newly installed onboard hydrogen system. eCap Marine, contracted by Offshore Service Gesellschaft, engineered the system that enables the vessel to operate without producing any emissions using hydrogen and batteries.
A safe hydrogen-electric power system
Over two years, eCap Marine developed a containerized system featuring two Ballard FCwave (2x200kW) fuel cells, a maritime battery system from Lehmann Marine, a fire extinguishing system, tank units, a custom power management system and all necessary cooling and safety equipment. 
Lars Ravens, managing director of eCap Marine, stated, “This kind of system is a unique installation on board a seagoing ship and scalable up to megawatt-sized designs for larger commercial ships and longer voyages as well as smaller inland vessels.”
Local hydrogen production
The green hydrogen for the installed fuel cells will be produced locally and sustainably, using offshore wind power on an electrolyzer hydrogen plant a few kilometers from the vessel’s berth that was installed at the same time as the fuel cell project. The electrolyzer is designed to expand in case of a higher demand. eCap Marine designed the three swappable high-pressure tank systems with a focus on safety, and in alignment with the rules and regulations relating to the transportation by truck of the units between the vessel and the electrolyzer.
Frederike Engels, head of projects at eCap, said, “Switching, disconnecting and reconnecting the hydrogen tanks is very easy and safe, taking just a few minutes due to the toolless design and standard connections for crane and truck. For the vessel’s crew, the new system means reduced vibrations on board and a more direct propulsion allowing immediate response to the propeller shafts.”
Jochen Kaufholt, CEO of Offshore Service Gesellschaft, added, “The Coastal Liberty is a first of its kind and a flagship for the maritime energy transition in Europe.”
In related news, USA-based Sea Cheetah Corporation recently entered a strategic partnership with Toulouse-based hydrogen solutions expert H3 Dynamics to develop what the partners state is the world’s first hydrogen-electric wing-in-ground effect vessel and an ecosystem of fueling points. Click here to read the full story.