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Hydrogenious and Østensjø in zero-emission shipping JV

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Meenal Datar

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Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, which has developed a liquid hydrogen carrier technology, has formed a joint venture (JV) with Norwegian shipping company Johannes Østensjø to develop an emissions-free propulsion system for shipping.

The new JV, Hydrogenious LOHC Maritime, will base the propulsion system on Hydrogenious’ proprietary liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC), which uses benzyl toluene as a carrier medium to transport hydrogen in liquid form. The LOHC can make use of conventional liquid fuel infrastructure, including existing bunker facilities on board ships and in ports, for safe, easy and efficient hydrogen storage and distribution. The JV will focus on on-board LOHC/fuel cell propulsion systems on a megawatt scale.

The funding agency Enova, which is owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, will provide NOK 26 million (€2.5 million) to support the JV’s initial project HyNjord, which will develop a 200 kw pilot of the LOHC/fuel cell propulsion system. The pilot will incorporate three core components – the LOHC Release Unit, which releases hydrogen from the LOHC on demand, a fuel cell, and an interface to the ship’s power management system.

‘The Østensjø Group is committed to take part of the energy transition and to find ways to cut emissions. Of all the potential zero-emission technologies, we find LOHC the most promising one. That is why we have prepared all six service operation vessels under construction in our subsidiary, Edda Wind, for LOHC-based propulsion. Safety is of course very important for us in these evaluations. However, the fact that we can use existing fuel infrastructure and are able to use familiar fuelling procedures is of importance. In addition, we can easily carry enough energy onboard our vessels in order to operate in normal intervals of up to four weeks without refuelling,’ says Håvard Framnes, investment director in Østensjø Group as well as board member in Hydrogenious LOHC Maritime.

Dr Daniel Teichmann, CEO and founder of Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, says that his company has found an ideal partner in the Østensjø Group, which is well established company and sees LOHC as a ‘game changer’ for shipping decarbonisation.

‘Based on an exclusive worldwide licence agreement, Hydrogenious LOHC Maritime AS will make our proprietary LOHC technology available for onboard solutions for sustainable maritime traffic, i.e. develop, final assembly and market integrate carbon-free propulsion systems and offer aftermarket and other related services,’ Teichmann adds.

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