Project to Build First Hydrogen-Power Containership Receives EU Funding
Energy Observer, a company focused on developing clean energy solutions, is working on building the world’s largest liquid hydrogen-powered cargo ship called EO2 with the support of the European Union’s Innovation Fund. The EO2 project was selected from 85 applications and awarded €40 million (US$42 million) from the European Union’s Innovation Fund to advance the development of the vessel. The current design of EO2 is a 160-meter (525-foot) containership with a carrying capacity of 1,100 TEU. It aims to be the world’s lowest carbon-emitting cargo ship. The vessel will be equipped with a 4.8 MW electric propulsion system powered by hydrogen fuel cells developed by EODev and Toyota. The initial investment for the project is estimated to be over €100 million, covering studies and construction of the vessel. The EO2 is planned to have a range of 14 days and 1,600 nautical miles, with an average speed of 12.5 knots and a maximum speed of 16 knots. It will be approximately 12,000 dwt and operate with a crew of 18. They project the vessel could reduce CO2 emissions by 112,250 tons over 10 years. The current plan projects…