Switch Maritime to build hydrogen-powered ro-pax ferry for US operation
In collaboration with LH2 Shipping and LMG Marin in Norway, Switch Maritime is to construct an 80-car, 300-passenger ro-pax vehicle ferry that will run on liquid hydrogen (LH2) fuel. It will be based on a design (DNVGL-classed) that is successfully operating in Norway.
Hydrogen ro-pax ferry
The ro-pax vehicle ferry will have a service speed of 14kts and is expected to require fueling only once a week (volume of 3,000kg from one LH2 truck) in a typical operation, with no requirement for shoreside electric charging infrastructure. Its Norwegian predecessor, the MF Hydra, is owned by Norled and performs a triangular six-nautical-mile round-trip vehicle ferry service, refueling with LH2 only once every two weeks. The four-metric-ton LH2 tank (about the size of a 12m container) fits easily on the top deck and receives fuel from an LH2 truck via a bunkering system, using over-pressure in the truck to push the liquid to the ship. MF Hydra has received LH2 fuel approximately 50 times since starting hydrogen-powered operation in March 2023, and has not been out of service since operations began, other than for planned maintenance.
Fuel alternatives
Switch has focused on hydrogen because of its potential to serve as a viable option where other battery-only solutions fall short due to space and weight constraints. Generally, hydrogen can support greater range and power requirements due to its high energy density. Additionally, it simplifies zero-emissions vessel operations by eliminating the need for fixed shoreside charging infrastructure and supporting fueling through established truck-to-ship or ship-to-ship practices. Compressed hydrogen (GH2) is well suited for small- to medium-sized vessels; however, as vessel size and energy demand increase, cryogenic LH2 becomes the preferred storage solution. Similar to liquefied natural gas (LNG), cryogenic LH2 supports faster refueling speeds for large volumes (e.g. tons per hour).
“Switch is proud to be at the forefront of the energy transition in US maritime shipping,” said Pace Ralli, founder and CEO of Switch. “With rigorous planning, state-of-the-art engineering and support from leading industry partners and the US Coast Guard, we are ready to pioneer zero-carbon LH2 fueling for heavier, higher-horsepower workboats.
“Our first H2 vessel was the result of years of close collaboration with the US Coast Guard, demonstrating the viability and safety of hydrogen fueling. While the LH2 ro-pax ferry design is already DNVGL-classed, there is still some work to do to bring it into US Coast Guard compliance. What I like about LH2 fueling is that it will follow the same IGF code that applies to cryogenic LNG fueling of ships in the US, so we have a precedent regulatory framework to work from.”
In related news, Switch Maritime recently raised US$10m in a Series A round led by Nexus Development Capital to grow its hydrogen and electric ferry fleet in the USA. Click here to read the full story.
