When developing Norway’s first ferry operating on compressed hydrogen, safety is a key issue. On April 2nd, the FLAGSHIPS Stavanger team carried out a pre-HAZID workshop to discuss the safety issues of the hydrogen system in Norled’s hydrogen ferry.
The ferry is currently under construction at the Ada shipyard in Turkey.
“Along with the construction project partners will conduct a safety assessment on the ferry based on IMO guidelines for alternative design in order to demonstrate that the risk level associated with the hydrogen-fuelled ferry is not higher than for a conventional diesel-driven ferry, Project Coordinator Jyrki Mikkola from VTT explains.
The procedure for this safety assessment includes an identification of hazards process (HAZID) and relevant considerations as well as documentation, and a more detailed risk analysis and failure modes and effect analysis (FMEA) for the hydrogen and fuel cell systems.
The project will cooperate over a broad base to complete the required safety assessment and approval for the vessel, by applying and further developing the existing regulations and codes.
Possible hazards identified
The pre-HAZID session was chaired by VTT and Norled. LMG Marin, Westcon Power & Automation and Persee were also all present together with the Norwegian Maritime Authority who is the administrative and supervisory authority in safety matters on vessels flying under Norwegian flag.
During the meeting, possible hazards of hydrogen system onboard the ferry where identified and discussed. Safety measures already in place were listed and actions which would increase the safety were identified. Focus points was in hydrogen safety, and the team was especially concentrated on hydrogen bunkering and storing, hydrogen pipelines and the actions in case of emergency.
Despite the challenge of having such an interactive and conversational meeting held remotely, great progress was made and key topics to be studied were identified.
