Stockholm-based energy systems provider Echandia has signed an agreement to supply the world’s first emission-free high-speed catamaran with an integrated battery and hydrogen-based fuel cell system.
The agreement, worth SEK 14 million (about $1.6 million) was signed with Green City Ferries AB, a systems integrator for emission-free waterborne transportation based in Stockholm.
The installation onboard the ferry, which is intended for commercial traffic in Stockholm, will take place in the autumn of 2022.
Specifically, the agreement is for the Beluga24 model, which is designed by Teknicraft in New Zealand and the Italian Studio Sculli and is built in carbon fiber by Green City Ferries north of Stockholm. The high energy efficiency of Echandia’s integrated battery and fuel cell systems requires less hydrogen, which saves a lot of weight, and the battery part is significantly lighter than competing solutions.
When it comes to public transport in Stockholm, the fleet of vessels accounts for circa 5 percent of energy consumption but about 50 percent of carbon dioxide emissions annually (according to Båtplan Stockholm 2025). Green City Ferries’ goal is to switch to emission-free and fast waterborne transport in the world’s cities. The start for this takes place in Stockholm with support from Klimatklivet and the EU.
Before initializing final production stages, Green City Ferries will secure additional external financing.
“Sweden has been lagging behind internationally when it comes to electrifying shipping, but now the pace is increasing here as well. We are proud to be a part of this project that not only contributes to reducing emissions from Stockholm’s waterborne local transport but is also the first in the world with an emission-free high-speed catamaran,” Magnus Eriksson , CEO, Echandia, commented.
“The ferry will be equipped with an integrated system with both batteries and hydrogen, which is significantly more energy efficient compared to solutions with separate systems.”
“We will build a completely emission-free high-speed catamaran intended to operate in Stockholm’s waters… Compared to other tenders, Echandia’s solution means significantly lower total weight with high safety,” Fredrik Thornell , CEO, Green City Ferries, said.
Echandia develops zero-emission energy solutions for maritime and industrial applications. It pioneered heavy-duty LTO battery systems and proprietary, lightweight battery racks and system architecture. The LTO-systems obtained type approval from both Bureau Veritas and DNV.