Norway's Ferry Operator Norled Could Have Saved Money & Staff by Skipping Hydrogen - CleanTechnica

Norled, a major Norwegian ferry operator, has incurred losses of approximately €85 million over two years, largely due to its investment in hydrogen-powered ferries rather than battery-electric alternatives. The company’s MF Hydra, launched in March 2023 as the world’s first liquid hydrogen ferry, operates a short route typical of Norway’s ferry network. While Norway has successfully electrified many routes using battery ferries powered by clean hydroelectricity, Norled chose a costly and complex hydrogen system involving cryogenic storage, fuel cells, and long-distance liquid hydrogen supply from Germany. The MF Hydra’s construction cost was about €29 million, significantly higher than comparable battery-electric (€20 million) or diesel (€14 million) ferries, and its fuel and infrastructure expenses are substantially greater. Economically and environmentally, the hydrogen ferry underperforms. It consumes around 4 tons of liquid hydrogen biweekly at a delivered cost of €13–14/kg, resulting in an annual fuel cost of about €1.