The Zulu vessel is currently under construction on the ATG Shipyad in Giurgiu, Romania. The pusher bound for Paris will be the world´s first commercial cargo transport vessel operating on compressed hydrogen. 

Recently the Flagships team carried out a HAZID workshop.

– The objective of the HAZID workshop is to ensure that all the risks linked to fuel cells installation and its use for propulsion and electrical power generation onboard the pusher are eliminated, or reduced to as low as possible, Project Coordinator Jyrki Mikkola from VTT explains.

The Flagships team analyzed the fuel cells system, including cooling and exhaust, during the HAZID workshop. Batteries, the electric powertrain, the hydrogen storage, and the complete system were also analyzed.

During these meetings, we identify all major accidental events and other hazards relevant to the fuel cells system and operation. We also apply potential mitigating and preventative safeguards to reduce risk and identify actions opportunities for risk reduction. We aim to ensure that risks are eliminated or reduced, Jyrki Mikkola says.

The Flagships consortium includes 11 European partners, with two shipowners, Norled (NO) and CFT (FR) assisted by its support company Sogestion (FR) and Sogestran (FR); the maritime OEM and integrator companies ABB Marine & Ports (FI) and Westcon Power & Automation (NO); and ship design company LMG Marin (NO & FR). World-leading fuel cell technology is provided by Ballard Europe (DK), with vessel energy monitoring and management by Pers-EE (FR). Management and dissemination activities are provided by VTT (FI) and NCE Maritime CleanTech (NO), respectively. 

The Flagships project has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking under Grant Agreement No 826215. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program, Hydrogen Europe and Hydrogen Europe Research.