Cruise News - Maritime News

MAN Cryo, a subsidiary of MAN Energy Solutions, has developed a marine fuel-gas system for liquefied hydrogen, in close cooperation with Fjord1 and Multi Maritime in Norway. 

Multi Maritime’s hydrogen vessel design for Fjord1, including the fully integrated MAN Cryo – Hydrogen Fuel Gas System, has been granted preliminary approval in principle (AiP) by DNV-GL. As informed, the system is the first marine-system design globally to secure such an approval.

“As a solution for vessels employed on relatively short maritime routes, such as ferries, this technology is a world-first… Furthermore, Hydrogen is a clean fuel whose profile fits perfectly with the general desire within the industry to move towards cleaner technology. The possibilities for this technology are varied and exciting,” Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions, said.

MAN Cryo developed the system design in-house at its headquarters in Gothenburg in close cooperation with the shipowner, Fjord1, and ship designer, Multi Maritime, in Norway.

“To secure this approval in principle shows the determination that MAN Energy Solutions has to advance cleaner shipping solutions…Our strategy is to actively work with our customers to design and promote cleaner ways of powering vessels,” Louise Andersson, Head of MAN Cryo, said.

According to MAN, the system has a scalable design that allows easy adaptation for different shipping types, sizes and conditions. The design is suited for both above- and below-deck applications.

Liquefied hydrogen has a temperature of -253° Celsius and is one of the absolutely coldest cryogenic gases there is, which places system components and materials under extreme stresses. Another design challenge was hydrogen’s explosive nature.

Once liquefied, hydrogen is reduced to 1/800th of its volume, compared to that of its gas phase, facilitating a more-efficient distribution. As a fuel, hydrogen does not release any CO2 and can play an important role in the transition to a clean, low-carbon, energy system. Liquefied hydrogen can be used to charge batteries for electrical propulsion via fuel-cell technology.