UK-based ULEMCo, a hydrogen commercial vehicle conversion company, is looking into options for the marine sector for its technology (earlier post), and is developing a demonstration marine engine modified to run on hydrogen as a partner in the HYLANTIC (Atlantic Network for Renewable Generation and Supply of Hydrogen to promote High Energy Efficiency) project.

The the overall aim of the project is to show that a cost-effective and practical hydrogen engine solution could be deployed across a range of existing vessel applications, and therefore contribute to reducing emissions in local ports and inland waterways.

In addition to the engine development work, a feasibility study will also be carried out to assess the sources of hydrogen locally in the Liverpool City Region that would be suitable for marine applications, where opportunities could exist for vessels such as those used for the Mersey Ferry and the Manchester Ship Canal.

ULEMCo joins the Universities of Cantabria, Porto, Ulster and Dublin City, as well as several private companies in delivering the HYLANTIC project. The work is funded by Interreg Europe, which supports local and regional authorities across Europe in achieving innovative and integrated solutions to a range of sustainability issues.

The HYLANTIC project is led by the University of Cantabria and the partnership involves 11 organizations from the five Atlantic area countries and 15 associated partners including public administration, technological clusters, platforms, partnerships for regional development, policy makers, end users and stakeholders who will collaborate on technical activities, and transfer and dissemination of results.

HYLANTIC is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg Atlantic Area Program with a budget of €2.5 million.