USCG Approves Maritime Partners' DBA For M/V Hydrogen One Towboat Power System

Maritime Partners has successfully secured a Design Basis Agreement through the US Coast Guard for the M/V Hydrogen One towboat.

Hydrogen One will use e1 Marine hydrogen generator tech for its power plant.

It is exclusively designed to use advanced fuel cell tech that transforms stored methanol, easily available in multiple ports, into hydrogen (on demand).

The hydrogen then produces the power needed for the vessel.

A fruitful test of the tech was carried out in Sweden’s Gothenburg in June last year, indicating its potential as a single power generation source for vessel propulsion.

Bick Brooks, the CEO and co-founder of Maritime Partners, said that signing this deal permits them to deploy their tech and brings the firm closer to making Hydrogen One the world’s first vessel to capitalise on hydrogen generator tech.

This will help reduce emissions significantly and increase efficiency, delivering a model for cleaner energy use as the maritime industry moves forward with its decarbonising goals.

The DBA procedure is crucial to the US Coast Guard’s regulations for unique tech proposed for marine vessels.

Maritime Partners with industry partners, including the Elliott Bay Design Group based in Seattle, Bourg, LA’s Intracoastal Iron Works, RIX Industries, e1 Marine, Power Cell Group, and other companies, worked together to fulfil the U.S. Coast Guard’s requirements.

The DBA assures that Maritime Partners will follow a framework mutually agreed upon with the US Coast Guard as the Hydrogen One project advances.

The framework includes the arrangement, design, and engineering facets of the power system and related safety systems for plan reviews, inspections, and certification of the towing vessel.

The vessel will also be IMO 2030-compliant and satisfy the mandatory requirements of the US Coast Guard’s Subchapter M regulations.

Hydrogen One is anticipated to function at standard operational speeds for up to 550 miles before it has to be refuelled.

Dave Lee, the VP of Maritime Partners’ Technology and Innovation, said the firm is dedicated to developing and using sustainable, clean energy solutions.

The development of Hydrogen One is part of the commitment as the maritime industry continues to seek greener, cleaner, and more efficient alternative fuel choices.

Only a few hydrogen-powered vessels are currently in service, mainly in Europe.

In the United States, the Sea Change ferry underwent a lengthy development process, including delays when the hull became operational in 2021 before finally arriving in San Francisco last year.

The purpose of entering the DBA procedure is to ensure that the Hydrogen One moves smoothly from design to operation.

Reference: Maritime Partners

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