- Shiptec has received approval for hydrogen fuel-cell ferries, Saphir and Quinten Lebt, for operation on Swiss lakes.
- The Saphir will be retrofitted, while the Quinten Lebt will be newly built as a hybrid hydrogen catamaran.
- Both ferries are certified by Lloyd’s Register, emphasizing safe and sustainable zero-emission marine transport
Shiptec, a prominent Swiss passenger shipbuilder, has received approval in principle (AiP) from Lloyd’s Register (LR) for its innovative hydrogen fuel-cell ferries, Saphir and Quinten Lebt. These ferries will operate on Lake Lucerne and Lake Walen, marking a significant step toward zero-emissions water transport, reports LR.
Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Retrofit for Saphir
The Saphir, a 300-passenger ferry, will be retrofitted with a hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion system. This ferry currently operates a round trip on Lake Lucerne and will soon transition to this more environmentally friendly fuel source.
The Quinten Lebt, a 12-person hybrid hydrogen catamaran, will be newly built by Shiptec. It is designed to serve several piers on Lake Walen, demonstrating the versatility and potential of hydrogen as a marine fuel.
Both the Saphir and Quinten Lebt have been certified using Lloyd’s Register’s Risk-based Certification (RBC-2) process, which is part of LR’s rules for hydrogen use as a marine fuel. This approval highlights the safety and reliability of the hydrogen fuel-cell systems onboard these ferries.
Industry Leaders on Hydrogen Integration
Luke Shu, Technical Advisory Manager, Maritime Commercial Markets, Lloyd’s Register, said: “LR is pleased to have acted as a trusted adviser to both Shiptec and the Swiss Federal Office of Transport on these important projects. H2 fuel-cells represent an effective solution to ferry operators seeking to transition their fleet to zero-emissions vessels, and LR remains on hand to support its partners using our extensive experience in certifying hydrogen powered designs.”
Martin Einsiedler, CTO, Shiptec, said: “Shiptec is proud to be a pioneer in the integration of a hydrogen fuel-cell system on a passenger vessel, especially with the concept of storing the hydrogen below deck and to make an important contribution to environmental protection. We are proud to have customers such as Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (SGV) and the Quinten Lebt foundation, who trust in our development and are investing in the future.”
Shiptec’s development of hydrogen fuel-cell systems is a key contribution to environmental protection in maritime transport. By leading this transition, Shiptec is setting a precedent for future zero-emission vessel designs and operations.
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Source: LR
