A hydrogen fuel cell-powered ship, the Zemship, is to be launched next summer to ferry tourists around Hamburg's city-centre Alster lake.

The vessel employs two PM Basic A 50kW fuel cells, an integrated battery that stores surplus energy from the cells for storage and a hybrid drive manufactured by cleantech firm Proton Motor.

This system enables the ship to retain maximum power when casting off and coming aside since the batteries supply the energy back to the engine.

Hydrogen will be stored onboard the ship in pressurised tanks with enough accessible to mean it will only need refuelling every three days.

Anno Merten, Zemships Project Manager at Proton Motor, said: "With the integrated Proton Motor fuel cell hybrid drive the vessel isn’t only emission-free, it’s almost twice as efficient as conventional diesel ships.

"This project shows that our products are ready for everyday use. It offers an opportunity to open up a whole new market and extends our pioneering role in the cleantech industry."

Source:

Zero emissions on Hamburg’s river Alster, 17/01/08
http://www.proton-motor.de/fileadmin/documents_pm/press_releases/071204_Zemships_ENG_final.doc

Proton Motor supplies drive system for the world’s first fuel cell passenger vessel, 18/01/08
http://www.fuelcellsworks.com/Supppage8303.html

Ÿ Adfero Ltd