(Lysaker / Norway) – The Norwegian company Teco 2030 is to equip a product tanker belonging to the Swedish shipping company Ektank AB with hydrogen propulsion. Such a ship has several tanks that can be filled independently of each other for the transport of products derived exclusively from petroleum, such as gasoline, kerosene, naphtha or gas oil.
Project start in February 2023
The Teco 2030 consortium is planning to launch “Hy-Ekotank” on February 1, 2023. In addition to Teco 2030 and Ektank AB, Shell International Trading and Shipping Co.Ltd is involved. as well as Shell International Exploration and Production BV, as well as Blom Maritime AS, Teco Solutions AS, Umoe Advanced Composites AS, FKAB Marine Design, Neste Oyj and The Arctic University of Norway.
The product tanker with a capacity of 18.600 tons (DWT, deadweight tons) will be retrofitted with a 2,4 megawatt fuel cell system from Teco 2030 and a 4.000 kilogram storage facility for compressed hydrogen. Completion is expected in 2024.
Five million euros in funding from the EU
The ship will operate emission-free at berth and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent during the journey. “This pioneering project could play a pioneering role in this segment of maritime shipping and help achieve the European Union’s ambitious climate goals,” says a statement from Teco.
The consortium was invited to apply for funding from the EU “Horizon Europe” program worth five million euros.
Class schedule
Hy-Ekotank concept presentation: Teco 2030 plans to retrofit an Ektank ship with fuel cells and hydrogen storage. © Teco 2030
