Norway’s Norled has brought the first liquid hydrogen fuel-cell ferry—the MF Hydra—into operation, following a series of quayside system tests and approval by the Norwegian Maritime Authority. The ferry will operate a commercial route between Hjelmeland and Nesvik, with capacity for 299 passengers and 80 cars.

Norled had signed a contract from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) to operate a liquid hydrogen vessel for the route.

The department “is proud to contribute to making public procurement an instrument in developing and implementing new technology, and thus provide better facilities for road users,” says Anders Saternes of NPRA Ferry Management.

“Today we are witnessing the world’s first ship sailing on liquid hydrogen” Wolden, Norled

“We have a tradition of using our role as a major purchaser to accelerate development towards the goals set for the transport sector. It is important for us to use our purchasing power for transition. Zero-emission vessels play an important part in this,” he adds. Norled previously won a NPRA 2012 tender with the first battery-operated, propellor-driven ferry, as well as delivering the first car ferry run off LNG in 2000.

The MF Hydra was delivered in Q2 2021 and originally planned to start operations that year. The project had received funding from the EU’s then-€5mn Flagships initiative.

“Today will be a historic day, both for Norled and for Norway as a leading shipping nation. Today we are witnessing the world's first ship sailing on liquid hydrogen,” says Heidi Wolden, CEO of Norled.

The MF Hydra’s hydrogen systems were provided by Germany’s Linde Engineering, while the fuel-cells were developed by Denmark’s Ballard. The batteries were provided by Corvus Energy, while Norwegian firms Westcon and Seam were responsible for equipping and completing the vessel.

---

Author: Polly Martin