GGZEM builds first H2 ferry for the USA

The Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine company is planning to produce the first hydrogen fuel cell powered ferry for commercial use in the USA.

The ship, named Water-Go-Round, is said to have a top speed of 22 knots, thanks to two electric motors from BAE Systems with a performance of 300 kW each. The hydrogen tanks hold up to 264 kg of hydrogen, which is sufficient for two days of operation, according to the manufacturer.

The design of the ship was done by Incat Crowther, while the hydrogen tanks were supplied by Hexagon Composites with hardware provided by OMB-Saleri. The ferry can be refueled at hydrogen fuel stations close to the water, which can be used for trucks. The connector is identical.

The ship will be market ready by the middle of 2019, when a three-month pilot testing phase in San Francisco will begin. In this time, data will be collected regarding the operation and efficiency of the boat by Sandia National Laboratories, a research and development institution from the US department of energy. The California Air Resources Board, who is supporting the project with a 3 million dollar investment, will evaluate the data to determine whether the technology is appropriate for large-scale use.

sfexaminer.com, maritimejournal.com, ship-technology.com, watergoround.com