Bureau Veritas Approves Louis Dreyfus Armateurs' Hydrogen-Powered Vessel Design
Key Ideas
- Bureau Veritas has approved in principle the hydrogen-powered vessel design of Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA).
- LDA views hydrogen as a key marine fuel for decarbonisation, aiming for zero emissions for up to 95% of operational time.
- The project collaboration with Salt Ship Design on a hydrogen-powered service operation vessel is in the design phase, with construction potential.
- Challenges remain due to limited hydrogen-capable engines, nascent hydrogen bunkering infrastructure, but LDA claims the vessel can bunker in six hours.
Bureau Veritas, a classification society, has given approval in principle to the hydrogen-powered vessel design proposed by Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA). LDA believes that hydrogen is crucial for decarbonising the shipping industry, highlighting its commitment to zero emissions for the majority of the vessel's operational time. The collaboration between LDA and Salt Ship Design to develop a hydrogen-powered service operation vessel was initially announced in March 2024. While the design phase is progressing, the actual construction of the vessel is still uncertain. The project faces challenges such as the limited availability of hydrogen-capable engines and the early stage of hydrogen bunkering infrastructure. Despite these obstacles, LDA asserts that the vessel can be bunkered in just six hours, showcasing efficiency. This development signifies a significant step towards environmentally friendly shipping practices and demonstrates a positive outlook on the integration of hydrogen technology in the maritime sector.