New ship meets IMO objectives

Since its creation, Energy Observer pushes the limits of maritime decarbonation. After having developed an autonomous laboratory vessel with the first complete hydrogen chain, capable of producing its own hydrogen with its surplus of renewable energies, Energy Observer is taking a new step by launching the design of the most representative ship of the maritime transport industry: a multipurpose cargo ship fuelled by liquid hydrogen, a technology that allows zero-emission navigation, while offering very high transport capacities and great autonomy.

Victorien Erussard, President and founder of Energy Observer, presented the ship on February 10th during the One Ocean Summit in Brest.

“With this demonstrator ship, we want to go all the way in decarbonizing medium-sized industrial ships, using hydrogen directly as a fuel. We believe in the capacity of the French maritime industry to become an international model, benefiting from an agile and efficient research-industry ecosystem.”

Maritime transport accounts for 3% of CO2 emissions annually on a global scale. The ambition of Energy Observer and its partners is to present prototype solutions leaning towards zero-emission for the transport of goods.

The technologies are now mature, with liquid hydrogen storage well mastered, the deployment of liquefiers around the world, and the latest generations of mass-produced fuel cells. Energy Observer is now tackling the latest technological challenges, such as the integration of large tanks or the management of cryogenic temperatures, thanks to the unfailing support of its historical and technological partners.

At the forefront, Air Liquide, the world leader in hydrogen for over 50 years for industry and space. Air Liquide masters the production, storage, distribution, and safety of liquid hydrogen and thus brings its technological expertise and its capacity for innovation.

Energy Observer and its Strategic Partner, the CMA CGM Group, analyze together the commercial and operational parameters of this new generation of cargo-ship. The CMA CGM Group, a world leader in maritime transport and logistics, and Energy Observer thus confirm their pioneering commitment to the energy transition of maritime transport.

Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President, Assets and Operations, CMA CGM Group:
“This new stage in the strategic partnership between Energy Observer and CMA CGM Group marks the acceleration of our common commitment to the emergence of prototypes towards low-carbon solutions. Given the importance of the challenges posed by the energy transition, we believe that several technologies will have to coexist, depending on the types of flows and distances to be covered. That is why, in addition to our commitment to bio and e-methane, we also aim to work with our industrial partners on the potential of hydrogen, and the reasonable uses that can be made of it. We are excited to be able to work with Energy Observer on the opportunities that this technology can bring and in which business developments it can be used.”

EODev, the industrial subsidiary of Energy Observer that designed the first certified hydrogen boat, and develops accessible and marinized systems, is an expert in fuel cells’ integration in demanding environments.

LMG Marin, the naval architecture firm that pioneered decarbonated propulsion and developed the world’s first liquid hydrogen ferry, Hydra, is the design office in charge of this innovative project.

Ayro, the company created by Marc Van Peteghem, to propose auxiliary propulsion systems for large ships, and for which Energy Observer was the first operational testbed, will equip the ship with its Oceanwings®.

Another important partner is Bureau Veritas, a key player in the evolution of maritime regulations and innovations, which has accompanied Energy Observer since the launch of its first hydrogen-powered vessel.

Finally, the French Maritime Cluster and the T2EM Institute is working with academic, scientific, and industrial partners to create the Institute for the Eco-Energy Transition of the Maritime Sector (T2EM), whose objective is to steer and implement the national structuring program “Zero Emission Ship & Port” to achieve the goals of decarbonation, emissions reduction and respect for the biodiversity of the sector. Energy Observer 2 is the Institute’s “flagship,” the first full-scale demonstrator to power the entire industry.

This new ship concept is being developed by the best specialists and industrialists gathered by Energy Observer. Its specifications have been established according to the urgent need to renew the fleets of multipurpose cargo ships of about 5 000 tons deadweight. Used on intra-continental and coastal routes, those represent an alternative to road transportation and can call at modest ports without heavy logistics. Constituting nearly 37% of the world fleet, often of old and polluting design, this type of vessel is therefore identified as a priority segment for the ambitions of Energy Observer and its partners in their quest to accelerate the transition.