NAVHYS – Liquid hydrogen for maritime transport

The global transition to fossil-free energy sources has led to a rapid expansion of offshore wind power. The maintenance of wind power facilities requires specialised vessels, known as Service Operation Vessels (SOVs), which are often in operation for long periods at sea. At the same time, the shipping sector faces an urgent need to reduce its emissions in line with the EU Green Deal, the Paris Agreement and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) climate strategy.

Liquid hydrogen – a zero-emission fuel

Liquid hydrogen is a promising fuel alternative due to its high energy density and the fact that when used, it produces only water as an emission – no carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, or particles. This makes LH₂ particularly interesting for maritime use, where achieving emission reductions is challenging with traditional solutions.

NAVHYS develops hydrogen systems for ships

The aim of NAVHYS is to develop an integrated system for the storage and use of liquid hydrogen in a maritime environment. Since LH₂ must be stored at -253°C, high demands are placed on insulation, safety and operation. The project brings together expertise from several sectors to develop a solution that is safe, energy-efficient, and easily integrated into future ship designs.

The goal – a new generation of emission-free ships

The overall goal is to demonstrate a complete LH₂ system on ships. This solution can then form the basis for a new generation of emission-free vessels in the offshore sector.

NAVHYS contributes to important climate goals

By replacing fossil fuels with LH₂ in service vessels, NAVHYS can contribute to:

•    The EU's climate neutrality goal for 2050
•    The IMO's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping
•    The sustainable expansion of renewable energy at sea
•    The development of hydrogen technology as a key component in the energy systems of the future

Gathering expertise from multiple sectors

A broad consortium of actors from the fields of ship design, operations, energy, safety and research is implementing NAVHYS. Together, we are developing a solution that can pave the way for a climate-neutral maritime sector.

Project timeline and funding

NAVHYS will run for 36 months and covers design, analysis, testing and dissemination. The project is funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and the European Union, which supports research and innovation in hydrogen technology.

NAVHYS Project partners

The project is being run in collaboration between:

• ArianeGroup – coordinator and responsible for designing the system architecture and testing the solution
• Benkei – project management and coordination
• Bureau Veritas – technical review and approval
• ENGIE – design of the supply chain and bunkering station
• ERIG – communication and dissemination of the project
• Gas and Heat – design of LH₂ tank
• INERIS – leads hazard identification
• LEITAT – life cycle evaluation and NAVHYS solution assessment
• MCN – maritime network (associated partner)
• North Star – defines operating scenarios and confirms operability
• RISE – safety analysis, hydrogen hazard and HAZID analysis
• University of Birmingham – upscaling and cost analysis
• VARD – design and construction of the SOV vessel

What does NAVHYS mean?

The project name, NAVHYS, is inspired by the Latin words navis (ship) and vis (power), combined with the first letters of hydrogen. Together, NAVHYS conveys the idea of ‘hydrogen power for shipping’.

Want to know more about NAVHYS?

Feel free to contact Jonatan Gehandler or Roshni Pramanik if you have any questions or would like to learn more. Please follow NAVHYS on LinkedIn for updates on the project.