With backing from the Department of Transport’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) Round 2, SEA-KIT will continue working with Bramble Energy to implement outputs from a successful CMDC Round 1 project to marinize Bramble’s Printed Circuit Board (PCB) hydrogen fuel cells.

According to SEA-KIT, its H-Class USV design is based on operation data and feedback from its existing vessels. Over the course of the project the company’s design work will be carried out in accordance with the Lloyd’s Register Approval in Principle (AiP) process to ensure that the resulting technology will satisfy regulatory requirements as far as possible.

Scheduled to commence in January 2023, the Zero Emission H-Class Ocean USV project is hoped to come as a significant step towards the commercialisation of clean fuel vessel technology.

“The CMDC2 funding win supports our continued efforts to help the UK meet its emissions targets of reduction of carbon from shipping by at least 50% by 2050,” said Ben Simpson, CEO of SEA-KIT. “This USV will be suited to deep water offshore operations as well as coastal survey and the launch and recovery of ROVs.”

Simpson added, “The combination of highly capable surveying and inspection instrumentation, improved safety gained from uncrewed, remotely operated vessels and zero-carbon emissions will make a very compelling alternative option for the offshore energy, defence and scientific research markets.”

In February (2022), Bramble Energy announced its hydrogen fuel cell technologies would be rolled out globally following a £35m ($40.6m) investment.

Read more: £35M funding to accelerate global roll out of Bramble Energy’s hydrogen fuel cell technologies

Vidal Bharath, Chief Commercial Officer at Bramble Energy, commented, “Fuel cells provide an extremely attractive value proposition to the marine industry, so it is with great pleasure that we continue collaborating with SEA-KIT on the CMDC project.

“It’s the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how our decarbonising technology can play a key role in the maritime industry’s journey towards achieving Net Zero.”

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