The SeaShuttle project marks a significant step towards decarbonizing the maritime transport sector. As part of this initiative, the construction of the world’s first hydrogen-powered container ship has just begun in India.
Today, maritime transport is the linchpin of the global economy, with the vast majority of goods being transported by this means. However, it poses a significant pollution problem, with substantial greenhouse gas emissions. The SeaShuttle project aims to launch two short-distance hydrogen-powered container ships by 2025. Following the example of civil aviation, could hydrogen prove to be a viable substitute for oil in maritime transport?
A pioneering project
The construction of these innovative ships has started in the shipyards of Cochin, a port city in the Indian state of Kerala. Commissioned by the Dutch company Samskip, the Norwegian government has also invested in the project: SeaShuttle has received a €13 million grant to kick-start operations.
With a capacity of 365 45-foot containers, these ships will be powered entirely by hydrogen and equipped with a 3.2 MW fuel cell. This marks a world-first. In case of emergency, a secondary diesel engine can take over. They are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2025 and will be used for short-distance journeys between Scandinavian markets and mainland Europe.
Maritime freight: a sector with a significant environmental impact
According to the World Trade Organization, 90% of intercontinental trade and 80% of global freight volumes are transported by sea. However, the environmental impact of the sector is considerable, ranking among the top six global polluters. Each year, container ships emit between 600 and 1,100 MtCO2 (megatonnes of carbon dioxide), equivalent to 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the volume of freight transported annually continues to increase, with no sign of slowing down.
While fully replacing container ship kerosene with hydrogen seems unthinkable today, it is imperative for the sector to develop cleaner technologies. The SeaShuttle project may be a drop in the ocean of pollution, but it is nonetheless a noteworthy initiative.
