The world’s first hydrogen-powered ship has arrived in London as part of a six-year, zero emissions voyage around the world. The 30-metre long Energy Observer catamaran has already travelled 18,000 miles since leaving Saint Malo on the west coast of France and will remain stationed by Tower Bridge for 10 days as it finishes its European tour. Crew say they want their “floating laboratory” to show that shipping can be decarbonised, emphasising that this needs to happen urgently to avoid catastrophic levels of climate change. The Toyota-sponsored vessel is the first in the world to create its own hydrogen fuel by sucking up sea water as it sails along at speeds of up to 7.12 knots. Water is desalinated – which means salt and minerals are removed – before it goes through an electroliser that breaks water into its elements, hydrogen and oxygen. Oxygen is released and the hydrogen is compressed and kept in two storage facilities on either side of the ship.
Independent 7th Oct 2019 read more »