Jörgen Johnsson (Ektank): HyEkoTank is aligned perfectly with our strategy (source: Riviera Maritime Media)
TECO 2030, Shell and partners in the hydrogen-powered tanker concept, HyEkoTank, are to receive €5.0M (US$4.8M) in Horizon Europe support for the 2.4-MW TECO 2030 PEM fuel-cell system for tanker retrofit projects
Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5Bn to tackle climate change, achieve the UN’s sustainable development goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth.
As well as Shell and TECO 2030, the HyEkoTank project involves Ektank, Blom Maritime, TECO Solutions, Umoe Advanced Composites, FKAB Marine Design, Neste Oyj, and UiT – The Arctic University of Norway.
All beneficiaries have now signed the General Agreement Declaration of Honour (GA), stating they are committed to participate in the project. The consortium expects to finalise the GA process by the end of this year, and plans project start-up by 1 February 2023.
The HyEkoTank project will retrofit install a 18,600-dwt product tanker with a 2.4-MW fuel-cell system by TECO 2030 and 4,000-kg compressed hydrogen storage for demonstration in 2024.
The HyEkoTank hydrogen-powered tanker will demonstrate zero emissions at berth and a 60% reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during voyages.
This pioneering project could become a first mover in this maritime shipping segment and contribute to achieving the ambitious climate targets set by the European Union.
As part of the European Green Deal, the EU has committed to reducing GHG emissions by 55% by 2030, and a binding target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Under the ‘Fit for 55 package’ the EU is currently developing its climate, energy and transport-related legislation to align current laws with the 2030 and 2050 ambitions.
“We are proud to have been invited for funding from Horizon Europe as we move forward with the integration of TECO 2030 fuel cells on board ships. The hydrogen tanker concept will be a state-of-the-art vessel retrofitted to reduce up to 100% of GHG emissions during voyage and at berth,” said TECO 2030 group chief executive Tore Enger. “There is no doubt zero emissions is the way forward if we have any ambition to reach the targets in the Paris Agreement,” he added.
“Shell is proud to be a part of this fuel-cell project, which aims to demonstrate the viability of hydrogen as a zero-carbon fuel for the maritime sector. Our target is to be a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050 and to accelerate this transition, we are partnering with customers and businesses from across the sectors. Shell will purchase the fuel-cell system and provide the renewable hydrogen to power this pioneering project as we continue to drive innovation to deliver the cleaner energy solutions that our customers need.” said Shell Shipping and Maritime general manager technology, innovation and digitalisation Carl Henrickson.
Ektank chief executive Jörgen Johnsson said, “We are pleased to contribute with our high-quality and energy-efficient vessels towards the development of zero-emissions technologies to meet environmental demands and regulations. We are delighted with how suitable our vessels fit into the concept of HyEkoTank which is aligned perfectly with our company’s environmental strategy.”
