Receives £5 million in Horizon Europe support for tanker retrofit project
TECO 2030 with partners have been invited for HORIZON EUROPE funding of EUR 5 million to realise the hydrogen powered tanker concept, HyEkoTank. All beneficiaries have now signed the GA Declaration of Honour, stating that they are committed to participate in the project. The consortium expects to finalise the Grant Agreement process within the end of this year, and plans project startup by February 1st, 2023.
Concept illustration HyEkoTank. Retrofit installation of fuel cells with compressed hydrogen storage on existing Ektank vessel. The solution can eliminate emissions in port and reduce up to 100% of GHG emissions on voyages.
In addition to TECO 2030, Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited and Shell International Exploration and Production BV, the HyEkoTank project involves partners Ektank AB, Blom Maritime AS, TECO Solutions AS, Umoe Advanced Composites AS (UAC), FKAB Marine Design, Neste Oyj, and UiT - The Arctic University of Norway.
The HyEkoTank project will retrofit a 18.600 DWT product tanker with a 2.4 MW fuel cell system by TECO 2030 and 4000 kg compressed hydrogen storage for demonstration in 2024.
Tore Enger, CEO of Teco2030.
“We are proud to have been invited for funding from HORIZON EUROPE as we move forward with the integration of TECO 2030 Fuel Cells onboard ships. The hydrogen tanker concept will be a state-of-the-art vessel retrofitted to reduce up to 100% of GHG emissions during voyage and at berth,” says Tore Enger, Group CEO, TECO 2030. “There is no doubt that zero emission is the way forward if we have any ambition to reach the targets in the Paris Agreement,” Enger adds.
The HyEkoTank hydrogen powered tanker will demonstrate zero emission at berth and 60% reduction of GHG emissions during voyage. This pioneering project could become a first mover in this maritime shipping segment and contribute to achieving the ambitious climate targets set by the European Union. As part of the European Green Deal, the EU has committed to reducing GHG emissions by 55% by 2030, and a binding target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Under the ‘Fit for 55 package’ the EU is currently developing its climate, energy and transport-related legislation to align current laws with the 2030 and 2050 ambitions.
“We are pleased to contribute with our high-quality and energy-efficient vessels towards the development of zero-emission technologies to meet environmental demands and regulations. We are delighted with how suitable our vessels fit into the concept of HyEkoTank which is aligned perfectly with our company’s environmental strategy,” says Jörgen Johnsson, CEO Ektank AB.
