Europe’s first electro-hydrogen catamaran unveiled

Green Navy, a French company specializing in design and construction of electro-hydrogen maritime transport, unveiled what it described as Europe’s first electro-hydrogen propulsion catamaran for commercial passenger and cargo activities during the Monaco Sustainable & Smart Marina Rendezvous 2023 event, held in late September.

The Prometeo’s propulsion system will include a fuel cell powered by green hydrogen for carbon-free operation. (Photo: Green Navy)

“This clean, green, power source generates electricity via a fuel cell, which combines hydrogen with oxygen from the air to create electricity and water. The electricity charges the batteries to power the vessel’s electric engine which turns the propellers to move it forward,” explained Charles Cardi, CEO of Green Navy.

The company’s team of engineers has re-engineered the propulsion system and the architecture of the vessel, dubbed the ‘Prometeo’, to reduce mass and optimize energy efficiency. “Prometeo is carbon-free, silent, vibration-free, odor-free, and easily maneuverable – which makes it a pleasure for crews and passengers alike,” said Cardi.

The vessel will be supplied with green hydrogen to ensure a complete carbon-free chain. In addition, the company has developed a unique transmission system with an optimized gearbox that develops greater torque at reduced speed, thus improving efficiency and making it easier for the crew to operate, Green Navy noted.

“Our commitment to efficiency has seen us work closely with G-Sea Design on the ultimate precision of structural calculations. This has resulted in a lightweight catamaran with exceptional strength and rigidity – tested in all weather conditions and in passenger/cargo/ and combined configurations,” Cardi stated. “We have a clean technology vessel that is carbon-free with low energy consumption, offers full marine capacity, is made in France and available at short notice.

“Our electro-hydrogen solution is uniquely adaptable to every operator’s budget,” he continued. “Any size of craft can be built with a carefully calculated and optimized weight/performance ratio that dictates the number of batteries and hydrogen bottles required.”

The Prometeo is currently under construction at Merré shipyard in Nort-sur-Erdre, with transportation of the passenger catamaran’s twin hulls to the Merré shipyard in Brest scheduled for Spring 2024. The launch ceremony for the vessel will take place in Spring 2025.