Gaia hydrogen fuel tanker presented to the public

A group of developers representing C-Job Naval Architects and LH2 Europe presented a new generation vessel. It is designed to transport fuel between European countries. According to the engineers, a number of technical solutions were used in the design, making the novelty the most advanced way to transport fuel.

What are the features

The widespread use of hydrogen transport is largely limited by the complexity of transporting the composition over long distances. Three tanks of a special design have been developed specifically to minimize fuel boil-off. They not only reduce losses, but also capture hydrogen and use it to power the ship's power plants.



The shipbuilders designed the hull to be trapezoidal, allowing the tanks to be stably positioned without the use of ballast, as on barges powered by liquefied natural gas. This is a safe and easy-to-use transport, most of the work processes on which will be automated.

Features

The exact dimensions are unknown, the developers reported that the total height of the vessel will be 141 meters, and in one flight it will be able to carry up to 37 cubic meters of hydrogen fuel, which is enough to refuel about 500 passenger cars.

Initially, the ship will run between Germany and Scotland, but as new copies are built, they will be used on other routes. Today, all aspects of safety are being worked out to reduce the risk of dangerous situations to a minimum and ensure the ship is resistant to any weather events.



Shipbuilders pay attention to the fact that the tanker will not only be able to efficiently deliver new generation fuel, but will also be environmentally friendly. Data on the speed of movement is not yet available, but it is comparable to the transport currently in use. Next year, it is planned to begin construction at one of the German shipyards, by which time they will prepare and submit documentation for obtaining a permit to operate a new type of sea transport.

If the final design stage is completed on time and the work is completed on schedule, the ship will be launched in 2027. By that time, according to the developers, the number of hydrogen transport will increase and the need for the delivery of environmentally friendly fuel will increase several times.