SWITCH Maritime Leads Liquid Hydrogen Vessel Project Advancement in the US
Key Ideas
  • SWITCH Maritime, in collaboration with LH2 Shipping and LMG Marin, is progressing with the construction of an 80-car, 300-passenger RoPax vehicle ferry design fueled by liquid hydrogen in the US.
  • The company's current hydrogen-powered vessel, the Sea Change, has successfully started operations in the San Francisco Bay Ferry system, highlighting the feasibility and practicality of hydrogen fueling for maritime transport.
  • The utilization of hydrogen as a fuel source offers benefits such as greater range, power capacity, and simpler vessel operations by eliminating the need for fixed charging infrastructure, with plans to transition to cryogenic liquid hydrogen for larger vessels.
  • SWITCH Maritime's approach includes engaging in close collaboration with regulatory bodies like the US Coast Guard to ensure compliance and safety standards, paving the way for the adoption of zero-emission hydrogen technology in the maritime industry.
SWITCH Maritime, a leading US shipowner, is making significant strides in advancing the use of liquid hydrogen as a fuel source for vessels in the United States. In partnership with LH2 Shipping and LMG Marin, SWITCH is embarking on the construction of an innovative RoPax vehicle ferry design that operates on liquid hydrogen (LH2), a zero-emission fuel. This initiative follows the success of SWITCH's first hydrogen-powered vessel, the Sea Change, a 75-passenger catamaran ferry that has been in operation in the San Francisco Bay Ferry system since July 2024. The Sea Change showcases the practicality and sustainability of hydrogen fueling in maritime transportation. The advantages of hydrogen as a fuel source are highlighted by SWITCH, emphasizing its potential to address challenges faced by battery-only solutions, particularly in terms of range and power requirements. The company's strategic shift towards hydrogen aligns with the goal of simplifying zero-emission vessel operations by enabling fueling through established practices without the need for extensive charging infrastructure. As SWITCH expands its fleet to include larger vessels, the transition to cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage is planned to meet the growing energy demands. SWITCH's commitment to regulatory compliance and safety is evident through its collaboration with the US Coast Guard to ensure adherence to established standards. The upcoming RoPax vehicle ferry design is set to operate at a service speed of 14 knots, with minimal refueling requirements and no reliance on shoreside charging infrastructure, offering a sustainable and efficient solution for maritime transport in the US. The innovative approach taken by SWITCH Maritime not only showcases the feasibility of liquid hydrogen as a viable fuel source but also paves the way for the wider adoption of zero-emission technologies in the maritime sector. By leveraging hydrogen's energy density and operational advantages, SWITCH is driving the energy transition in the maritime industry towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
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