The SOV will be powered by batteries and dual fuel engines, capable of sailing on renewable e-methanol produced from wind energy and biogenic carbon, which will lead to an estimated emissions reduction of approximately 4,500 t/y of CO₂. Ørsted is to supply the e-methanol. 

Esvagt is to start building the vessel in 2Q2022, with plans for it to be commissioned by the end of 2024. Once operational, the SOV will start servicing the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Ørsted’s Hornsea 2, off the UK’s east coast.

First liquid hydrogen bunkering facility

Meanwhile, UK-based Unitrove has received a UK government grant to further develop the world’s first liquid hydrogen bunkering facility for fuelling zero emission ships. 

The £30,000 Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG), awarded by the Department for Transport in partnership with Connected Places Catapult, will be used to help further develop a commercial version of the small-scale portable facility, first unveiled at COP26 in Glasgow last November. 

Liquid hydrogen as a commercial fuel is a relatively unexplored option – but has potential for many uses, according to Steven Lua, Chief Executive of Unitrove Innovation, including plugging the gap that electric and compressed hydrogen cannot fill. 

Lua says: ‘We already see very early signs of light-duty vessels being battery-driven or powered by compressed gaseous hydrogen, but liquid hydrogen will allow us to serve the heavier portion of the shipping fleet where we hope to have a much larger impact.’

The TRIG programme was launched by the Department for Transport in 2014 to foster research and innovation in the sector. This year’s TRIG is the largest ever, with over 50 awards spanning different areas including maritime decarbonisation and the future of freight.

Unitrove’s liquid hydrogen bunkering unit

Photo: Unitrove