Orsted is part of partnership including compatriot shipping company DFDS that has applied for EU support for the development of a ferry powered by green hydrogen created by offshore wind.
The ferry, which would initially cover DFDS’ Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen route, would be powered by a 23MW hydrogen fuel cell system that only emits water.
The partnership also includes ABB, Ballard Power Systems Europe, Hexagon Purus, Lloyd’s Register, Knud E Hansen and Danish Ship Finance.
It has applied for support from the EU Innovation Fund in order to accelerate the process and in view of the public interest in developing such technology.
DFDS said there are no ferries of this kind in the world today and a high level of uncertainty is therefore involved in the undertaking.
However, if the project develops as projected, the ferry could be in full operation on the route, or elsewhere, as early as 2027, it added.
The hydrogen will be produced locally in Greater Copenhagen based on offshore wind, and the project will investigate how to optimally integrate with the local energy system.
DFDS chief executive Torben Carlsen said: “The largest fuel cell systems today produce only 1-5MW, and the development of such large-scale fuel cell installations for an electric ferry is a monumental task.
“We can only succeed in partnership with companies that bring together some of the globe’s finest expertise in design, approval, building, financing and operation of innovative vessels.
“Together, we expect to be able to make these fuel types and technologies commercially viable, which is key to a transition of the industry to climate neutrality. This is also the ultimate goal of DFDS’ climate action plan.”
The ferry that has the working name Europa Seaways, is designed for 1,800 passengers and has capacity for 120 trucks or 380 cars.