Swiss Shipbuilder Shiptec Receives Approval for Hydrogen-Powered Ferries in Lake Lucerne and Lake Walen
Key Ideas
- Shiptec's Saphir ferry with a hydrogen fuel-cell system will accommodate 300 passengers for trips on Lake Lucerne.
- The Quinten Lebt catamaran, equipped with hybrid hydrogen technology, will serve multiple piers on Lake Walen.
- LR's certification through RBC-2 showcases the safety of using hydrogen as a marine fuel on these innovative vessels.
- This approval marks a significant step in the adoption of hydrogen propulsion systems in the maritime industry, setting a precedent for future developments.
Shiptec, a prominent Swiss passenger shipbuilder, has secured approval in principle (AiP) from Lloyd’s Register (LR) for the compressed hydrogen fuel-cell ferries Saphir and Quinten Lebt, designated to operate on Lake Lucerne and Lake Walen. The Saphir ferry, capable of carrying 300 passengers, is scheduled for a retrofit with a hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion system, currently navigating between the Lucerne basin and the cross funnel of Lake Lucerne. Meanwhile, the Quinten Lebt catamaran, designed to accommodate 12 individuals, will leverage a hybrid hydrogen propulsion system to facilitate trips to various piers on Lake Walen. LR's Risk-based Certification (RBC-2) has been employed for certifying these designs, affirming the safety of hydrogen usage as a marine fuel, marking LR as the first classification society to issue such certifications starting in 2023. This approval underscores the secure design of the hydrogen fuel cell systems integrated into the two ferries, signaling a positive advancement in embracing hydrogen technology within the maritime sector.