The transition to zero-emission short-sea shipping has reached a pivotal milestone as the EU-funded HyShip project welcomes the SeaShuttle container vessels as its new real-world demonstrators. Supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, the project is tackling one of the maritime industry’s most persistent challenges: creating an end-to-end liquid hydrogen ecosystem that connects fuel production, port infrastructure and vessel operations.
By linking advanced onboard hydrogen storage systems with quayside bunkering infrastructure, HyShip is moving beyond isolated trials to establish a fully operational corridor between Oslo and Rotterdam. This integration paves the way for the wider adoption of hydrogen-powered shipping across the continent.
From concept to commercial deployment
At the heart of this initiative are two hydrogen-powered SeaShuttle vessels currently being built by HyShip partner Samskip, the Netherlands. The first is scheduled to enter service in the second quarter of 2027. Unlike many research prototypes, these ships are designed from the outset for commercial freight operations, transporting containerised cargo while eliminating carbon emissions. In total, the two vessels will be powered by 32 Ballard FCwaveTM 200 kW fuel cell engines, delivering a combined 6.4 MW of zero-emission power. When operating on green hydrogen, each ship is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 25 000 tonnes annually.
The project aims to accumulate over 3 000 hours of real-world operational data during an 18-month commercial demonstration. It will provide invaluable insights into sailing performance, port manoeuvring and bunkering procedures. This data will be used to inform future vessel projects, regulatory pathways and investment decisions.
A critical component of the HyShip mission is the development of safe, scalable infrastructure to support these vessels. Consortium partner LH2 Shipping, Norway, is leading the design, construction and operation of the port bunkering system, ensuring that liquid hydrogen can be transferred safely and efficiently from shore to ship.
Building a scalable hydrogen ecosystem
The significance of this project extends far beyond the success of two individual ships. HyShip is generating the operational knowledge and safety standards required to replicate this model across European short-sea routes. The project brings together a diverse consortium of shipowners, technology providers, researchers, classification societies and infrastructure specialists to validate the entire liquid hydrogen value chain. Commenting on the significance of this collaboration, Tore Boge, Head of EU Projects at project coordinator Maritime CleanTech, states in a news item posted on the HyShip website: “The market needs projects that reduce uncertainty, align partners, and make future investment decisions easier. This collaboration is strategically important because it helps build confidence in liquid hydrogen as a viable fuel for shipping.”
By proving that liquid hydrogen can power regular, high-frequency freight services, HyShip (DEMONSTRATING LIQUID HYDROGEN FOR THE MARITIME SECTOR) is not just demonstrating a new fuel source, it is furthering a major shift in the maritime industry. The lessons learned from the Oslo-Rotterdam green corridor will be instrumental in shaping the regulations, safety frameworks and business models that will define the zero-emission shipping landscape of the future.
Source: CORDIS, European Commission
