The maritime sector is increasingly exploring alternative fuel options and hydrogen is sailing up to be a promising contender for meeting the industry’s decarbonization goals. However, several significant challenges must be addressed before hydrogen propulsion can be widely adopted across the fleet. SEAM, a leader in sustainable maritime technology, is tackling these hurdles head-on with innovative solutions that optimize the use of hydrogen in maritime operations.
Hydrogen is a promising energy source, but its low energy density by volume presents a challenge for storage. In maritime applications, hydrogen needs to be stored at high pressures or in liquid form, demanding large and robust storage systems to ensure vessels have enough range and power to operate effectively.
SEAM tackles this challenge by integrating hydrogen fuel cells with advanced energy management systems. The result is an optimized storage solution that maximizes the energy output while minimizing the space needed on board. By leveraging their cutting-edge hydrogen propulsion systems, SEAM not only addresses the limitations associated with hydrogen storage but also enhances the operational range of vessels, making hydrogen a more viable alternative to traditional marine fuels.
Hydrogen is a highly flammable fuel, and its use in maritime vessels requires strict adherence to safety regulations and standards. The maritime industry must ensure that hydrogen can be safely stored, transported, and used, while also meeting increasingly stringent regulatory requirements set by national and international authorities.
SEAM is committed to safety, working closely with regulatory bodies and classification societies to ensure that its hydrogen propulsion solutions meet all required safety standards. Their systems include built-in safety measures such as continuous monitoring, leak detection, and automated shut-off mechanisms. These features, along with SEAM's extensive risk assessments and mitigation strategies, ensure the safe and reliable operation of hydrogen-powered vessels in compliance with all safety and regulatory requirements.
Integrating hydrogen fuel cells into existing maritime systems is a complex task that requires advanced control and power management solutions. The need for seamless integration with traditional propulsion systems, as well as other vessel operations, is essential for ensuring efficiency, reliability, and safety.
SEAM’s solutions are designed to address this challenge by incorporating their e-SEAMatic® BLUE platform, a sophisticated automation and energy management system that ensures smooth integration of hydrogen fuel cells with other vessel systems. The e-SEAMatic® EPMS (Energy Power Management System) intelligently controls power distribution, optimizing energy use and ensuring that hydrogen is used as efficiently as possible. This seamless integration allows for operational reliability and high efficiency, making hydrogen-powered vessels both practical and sustainable in the long term.
The production and storage of hydrogen remain costly, and while the environmental benefits are clear, hydrogen-powered vessels must also make economic sense for maritime operators. The high costs associated with hydrogen fuel, storage systems, and infrastructure for refueling have made it challenging to compete with traditional marine fuels.
SEAM is focused on making hydrogen propulsion more economically viable by continually improving the efficiency of their systems. By integrating advanced energy management and storage solutions, SEAM helps to lower operational costs and improve the overall efficiency of hydrogen-powered vessels. The real-world implementation of SEAM's hydrogen propulsion systems, such as in their hydrogen-powered ferry projects, demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of hydrogen propulsion as the industry scales up.
While there are several challenges to overcome in the adoption of hydrogen propulsion for maritime vessels, SEAM’s innovative solutions are proving that these hurdles are not insurmountable. From advanced hydrogen storage and energy management to ensuring safety and compliance, SEAM is at the forefront of developing practical and sustainable hydrogen propulsion systems for the maritime industry. With their fully integrated solutions, including the e-SEAMatic® automation platform, SEAM is paving the way for a cleaner, more efficient future for maritime transport.
