London International Shipping Week

By Izzy Taylor, Astromarine

Hydrogen took the spotlight for ACUA’s agenda at London International Shipping Week this year, fuelling a dynamic mix of conversations.

On 17^th September, ACUA hosted an event in partnership with @MarRI-UK and the @University of Southampton: Hydrogen Fuel for the Maritime Sector. In preparation for the event, Pioneer made her way along the Thames from her previous DSEI appearance to HMS President where she enjoyed some sunset views of Tower Bridge.

We welcomed over 120 guests to St Katharine Docks, near HMS President, for an afternoon of discussions reflecting on hydrogen’s role in maritime innovation over recent years, and looking forward to how the industry envisions its future.

A highlight for us was @Charles hosting a panel discussion with Dr Jehan Kanga, CEO of RUX Energy, Jim Irvine from TCP Group and Ben Medland, CEO of Drift Energy, which brought together different viewpoints from generating hydrogen from the ocean, storage and bunkering, and its practical use across the sector.

We also heard from Panos Manias from the University of Southampton and Ben Nicholson, ACUA Ocean's Hydrogen Engineer on the data analysis of hydrogen as a fuel and Pioneer as a USV in comparison to a conventional support vessel.

On 18^th September the team also attended @Innovate UK’s Clean Maritime Conference, showcasing our learnings and future plans for clean fuels within our operations. It was great to catch up with everyone involved in the programme and to introduce Maritime Minister @Keir Mather to our work under CMDC.

Throughout the week, two main points appear consistent in speeches, panels, and conversations: we wouldn’t be where we are if hydrogen hadn’t been an area of exploration; but significant barriers remain to its widespread commercial adoption as a maritime fuel. 

Just a few years ago, hydrogen and other alternatives to traditional fuels were at the forefront of innovation funding. It was relatively unexplored but full of potential to revolutionise ‘green shipping’ by replacing carbon-intensive fuels.

Recognising this opportunity, ACUA developed Pioneer as the world’s first hydrogen powered USV to be certified under Work Boat Code 3. We have proven that hydrogen can be safe for certification and highly effective for remote, offshore operations.

However, the second theme quickly becomes clear. Infrastructure is not yet ready for large-scale commercial adoption. While hydrogen can be generated and used on a small scale, the sector is still far from seeing fuelling stations available in every port.

So, what’s next for hydrogen as a fuel for the maritime sector? The drive for clean fuels and reducing carbon emissions where possible still exists and the uptake in hydrogen as an option is likely to continue to grow, as with electric, in line with infrastructure. 

ACUA is ready for now and for the future. Our vessels are designed to give our customers options to use hydrogen, electric, and/or diesel systems to meet their operational needs.

Find out more

Our travels continue along the coast and Pioneer is now at @Southampton Boat Show. If you’re attending, you can find us out on the marina, and if not, feel free to reach us at info@ocean.tech.