| ABB will deliver a comprehensive power distribution system for two newbuild short-sea container ships of the global logistics company Samskip Group headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The vessels
will be among the world's first of their kind to use hydrogen as a fuel.
Built by Cochin Shipyard, the largest shipbuilding and maintenance facility in India, the 135-meter ships are due for delivery in Q3 and Q4 of 2025, respectively. Both vessels will be operating between Oslo
Fjord and Rotterdam, a distance of approximately 700 nautical miles.
In addition to the integration of hydrogen fuel cells, ABB's comprehensive package includes the new, compact version of ABB Onboard DC Grid™ power distribution system that will ensure the optimal use
of energy on board. The vessels will also feature ABB's energy storage solution control, with the industry-leading automation technology, ABB Ability™ System 800xA, ensuring seamless operation of onboard equipment. Leveraging ABB Ability™ Remote Diagnostic Systems, the vessels will benefit from optimized safety and performance through 24/7 remote support.
Fuel cells turn the chemical energy from hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical reaction. With the use of renewables to produce the hydrogen, the entire energy chain will be clean. Hydrogen fuel
cell technology is considered as one of the most promising solutions to support shipping industry's decarbonization agenda, with the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency.
Samskip's vessels will be powered by a 3.2 MW hydrogen fuel cell each, with diesel generators installed for back-up. The logistics group, which aims to achieve net-zero by 2040, anticipates that each vessel
will be able to avoid around 25,000 tons of CO2 emissions a year when powered by fuel cells and by using green shore power at the port of call. While the ships are setting new standards for environmentally
friendly operations, they are expected to perform at the same level as Samskip's conventional vessels.
The project is in line with the International Maritime Organization's revised greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategy, which calls on reaching net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping close to
2050, with a commitment to increase the uptake of low-carbon fuels by 2030.
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