Having defined a roadmap to develop the production and use of marine hydrogen, Farwind has said the pair plan to share progress on the management of hydrogen onboard vessels and collaborate on developing the first use-cases.

Ponant intends  to establish its a sailing ship with integrated solar panels, low-temperature fuel cells for propulsion, high-temperature fuel cells for hotel requirements and on-board carbon capture technology – dubbed Swap2Zero.

While Farwind has plans for its technology to use offshore wind to produce electricity for hydrogen production – offering the ability for hydrogen to be taken ashore for refuelling or directly to a ship at sea.

The pair plan to “be in the position” to commission both solutions in 2030.

Mathieu Petiteau, Newbuilding and R&D Director at Ponant, said the technology has the advantage of offering hydrogen refuelling solutions where there are “no means of production and supply.”

“This collaboration is an opportunity to jointly develop a major project that associates a ship with her own source of renewable energy produced locally,” he added. “It is an unprecedented revolutionary approach that makes total sense.”

Arnaud Poitou, Chairman of Farwind Energy, added, “Capable of being produced near the ship’s operating areas, our liquid hydrogen represents a promising solution to decarbonise maritime transport.”