In preparation for the launch of its zero-emission luxury ship, cruise operator Ponant is working with Farwind Energy, which is developing a vessel capable of producing and storing hydrogen at sea.

Ponant wants to launch Swap2Zero (sustainable wind assisted propulsion zero emission ready) before 2030: a hydrogen-powered vessel 181 metres long with around a hundred cabins. As for Farwind Energy, the company is developing a ship equipped with wind turbines that will generate green hydrogen at sea. The cruise operator believes that this type of vessel could act as a service station to power its ship.

Mathieu Petiteau, Newbuilding and R&D Director at PONANT explained: “FARWIND Energy’s hydrogen production technology has the advantage of offering hydrogen refueling solutions in places where there are no means of production and supply.”He also added: “This collaboration is an opportunity to jointly develop a major project that associates a ship with her own source of renewable energy produced locally. It is an unprecedented revolutionary approach that makes total sense.”

A shared road map

An enthusiasm shared by its partner. “This collaboration opens up new perspectives for our highly innovative renewable energy production technology. Capable of being produced near the ship’s operating areas, our liquid hydrogen represents a promising solution to decarbonize maritime transport,” explained Arnaud Poitou, Chairman of FARWIND Energy.

Ponant and Farwind Energy have defined a shared roadmap for developing the production and use of carbon-free marine hydrogen. Ponant and Farwind Energy have defined a shared roadmap for developing the production and use of carbon-free marine hydrogen. They plan to share their advances in onboard hydrogen management, develop the first use cases together and collaborate to overcome the various technological barriers.

Read the press release.

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Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Mariem Ben Tili