Australian shipbuilder Austal and the Swedish company Gotlandsbolaget have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the construction of a high-speed ferry capable of operating on hydrogen. This construction contract is part of the Gotland Horizon X catamaran concept, first announced in April 2023.
Gotland Horizon X: the high-speed ferry
Under the terms of the MOU and the proposed construction contract, the high-speed catamaran will be designed by Austal and built at the Austal Philippines shipyard. The Gotland Horizon X is a high-speed aluminum vessel that will use gas turbines in a combined cycle to transport up to 1,450 passengers, cargo and vehicles between the Swedish mainland and the island of Gotland.
It should be noted that the vessel will have a length of 130 meters and will be able to travel at 35 knots. In addition, Austal will use artificial intelligence technology to artificial intelligence DeepMorpher to develop and finalize an energy-efficient hull that minimizes energy requirements and optimizes seaworthiness.
Through ongoing collaboration between Austal, Gotland Tech Development and supply chain partners, the design team continues to confirm and optimize various attributes of the vessel, including power, cargo capacity and speed.
The introduction of this catamaran powered by multiple low-emission fuels is a vital component in achieving Gotlandsbolaget’s goal of climate-neutral crossings between Gotland and the mainland by 2045 at the latest, according to Austal.
Paddy Gregg, CEO of Austal Limited, commented that the Gotland Horizon X is an incredibly exciting project that will redefine the capabilities of commercial ferries, with a combined power plant capable of using multiple fuels and hydrogen and a class-leading, efficient hull design; leading the transition to decarbonization of commercial ferries.
For his part, Håkan Johansson, CEO of Gotlandsbolaget, added that thanks to developments made by his team at Gotland Tech Development in collaboration with Austal, they can now move forward in complementing their existing fleet of larger passenger and cargo vessels with a high-speed catamaran.
Moving towards sustainability in maritime transport
The construction of the hydrogen-capable high-speed ferry by Austal represents a significant step towards sustainability in shipping.
This project not only shows commitment to innovation and emissions reduction, but also highlights the potential of hydrogen as a viable solution for the future of shipping, offering a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
Don’t miss any of our posts and follow us on social media!
Inspenet.com YouTube LinkedIn Facebook Instagram
Source: offshore-energy.biz
Photo and video: Destination Gotland
Loading...
