Together with its partners Shell Shipping and Maritime, Ektank AB, and DNV, TECO 2030 has unveiled its new Hy-Ekotank design concept for a tanker powered by hydrogen.
Rather than requiring entirely new vessels to be commissioned, the concept sees hydrogen fuel cells being retrofitted to Ektank’s existing vessels, together with storage for either liquid or compressed hydrogen. This will enable the vessels to become zero emitters when berthed and reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at sea by as much as 100%. This would align well with the aim of the European Green Deal to reduce GHGs by 55% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, a goal that is shared by many countries, including the UK.
Speaking for Shell Shipping and Maritime, Technology Manager Stephen Brown said the company was collaborating with its customers to progress faster to a situation where society becomes a net-zero emitter, adding:
“That’s why we’ve set a target to become a Net-Zero Emissions energy business by 2050. We’re partnering with customers, businesses, and others to address emissions. This pioneering fuel cell concept will reduce carbon emissions in the maritime sector. We’ll continue to drive innovation to provide the cleaner energy that our customers need.”
Like many other oil and gas majors, Shell, the maker of the Gadus grease range, is also pursuing hydrogen as a cleaner alternative for hard-to-decarbonise sectors, such as road freight and marine transport. When produced sustainably, such as through electrolysis using green energy, hydrogen can effectively be used as a clean, zero-carbon fuel.
