Energy Observer Concept, awarded the European Union’s Innovation Fund for its liquid hydrogen powered container cargo ship project: Energy Observer 2 | EO2
Saint-Malo – Energy Observer, via its subsidiary EOConcept, a pioneer in sustainable maritime solutions, has launched the Energy Observer 2 project in 2022 with the ambition of designing the world’s lowest-carbon cargo ship. EO2, an advanced demonstrator combining cutting-edge engineering and innovative technologies, aims to transform maritime transport towards low-emission solutions. This European funding marks a crucial step towards the construction and operation of the world’s largest liquid hydrogen-powered cargo ship by 2029, supporting the transition to environmentally friendly maritime technologies.
The EO2 vessel project, awarded by the European Union’s Innovation Fund
Selected from among 85 projects in the European Union Innovation Fund’s largest call for projects, EO2 has been awarded €40 million in financial support to encourage the development of clean technologies in sectors that are difficult to decarbonize. This €4.8 billion call for projects, extended to 18 countries, is the first to finance projects of various scales, including pioneering demonstrators, in areas such as industry, mobility and carbon management. EO2 is thus participating in this European Union initiative aimed at reducing emissions from these sectors by 476 million tonnes of CO₂ over ten years, helping to strengthen Europe’s technological autonomy.
Committed partners to turn Energy Observer 2’s ambition into reality
The Energy Observer 2 project benefits from the support of strategic partners, with an early and decisive commitment from the Accor group, which provided initial seed funding of the project to turn this first large demonstration vessel running on liquid hydrogen in maritime transport into a reality. This support is aligned with the Accor group’s decarbonization initiatives, notably with Silenseas, the world’s largest sailing ship under construction under its Orient Express brand, powered by LNG and assisted by a sailing rig. Although LNG can improve air quality and reduce CO₂ emissions by 15-20%, Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of the Accor Group, recognizes the need to go much further to meet IMO targets.
Other players such as CMA CGM group, Air Liquide, Toyota, EODev, LMG Marin, Bureau Veritas, Dassault Systèmes and, more recently, Chart Industries, took part in the feasibility studies over a two-year period to define the optimum techno-economic model. Thanks to their expertise, they have helped select the technical and logistical solutions required for this pilot project.
A zero-emission interregional cargo ship
The current design of the EO2 is a 160-meter container ship, capable of carrying up to 1,100 TEU containers with a range of 14 days, corresponding to 1,600 nautical miles. Equipped with electric propulsion powered by 4.8 MW of fuel cells developed by EODev and its industrial partner Toyota, this vessel represents a breakthrough in low-carbon maritime technologies. Scheduled for commercial operation from 2029 on Europe’s Atlantic and Channel coasts, EO2 could reduce CO₂ emissions by 112,250 tonnes over ten years, equivalent to the annual absorption of 190,000 mature trees. This pioneering project aims to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of liquid hydrogen for maritime transport on short segments, consolidating Europe’s position as a leader in the energy transition.
To achieve the full potential of this project, despite the financial support of the European Union, an efficient port ecosystem for liquid hydrogen bunkering is essential. EOConcept and Chart Industries are currently carrying out this work, with the aim of structuring liquid hydrogen bunkering infrastructures to achieve an attractive target price for shipowners, and to make the operation of such low-carbon ships accessible and competitive. The Brittany and Normandy regions are also playing a crucial role in this effort, providing active support to develop the necessary infrastructures and encourage the adoption of liquid hydrogen as a maritime fuel.
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Energy Observer Concept, awarded the European Union’s Innovation Fund for its liquid hydrogen powered container cargo ship project: Energy Observer 2 | EO2
