Gulf Craft has partnered with H2-Enterprises to explore the potential for the use of hydrogen technology in its superyacht fleet. The UAE-based shipyard aims to develop a zero-emissions Majesty yacht that is powered by H2’s Liquid Organic, Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) energy system.

“Gulf Craft is committed to contributing to R&D for net-zero emission cruises,” a Gulf Craft spokesperson tells SuperyachtNews. “LOHC stands out as fuel with zero emissions. While there's potential for success in various new fuel directions, there's still a lack of solid evidence, even in the automotive industry – this is what we are interested in exploring.”

H2-Enterprises has been working on its LOHC process for over a decade. Now completed and ready for application, the firm’s solution for the storage and transportation of hydrogen could be a pivotal player in the global transition toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.

“Our vision is for our yachts to have the minimum environmental impact during these journeys. To achieve this, we're testing a new fuel that is net-zero, low in toxicity, and has a low fire risk,” adds the spokesperson.

At its core, LOHC is a liquid called Marlotherm, with an oil-like consistency that exhibits an ability to chemically bind with hydrogen. This process of chemically binding hydrogen to LOHC involves using a catalyst under pressure, which results in a hydrogenated LOHC that can then be efficiently handled and stored. When the stored hydrogen is needed, it can be released through a dehydrogenation process, closing the cycle and allowing the LOHC to be reused multiple times.

Gulf Craft’s focus on hydrogen stands out, particularly when taking into account that so many other companies are opting for methanol-based alternative fuels to decarbonise their operations.

“While methanol has an energy density only second to MGO (diesel), it has half its energy density, whilst LOHC has just a fifth of MGO’s energy density, making it more energy-efficient,” says the spokesperson. “Additionally, green and blue methanol production is more expensive than LOHC, and methanol is more toxic and flammable. LOHC has low toxicity, even less than diesel, and extremely low flammability, with a flash point of 200 degrees Celsius.

The correlations between energy density and efficiency can sometimes be confusing, as energy density alone doesn't determine a system’s efficiency, but instead relies on various factors. Energy density is the amount of energy stored in a given volume or mass, indicating how much energy a substance holds per unit. Efficiency, on the other hand, measures a system’s ability to convert input energy into useful output energy. This is influenced by factors like the conversion process, technology, energy losses and environmental considerations.

While higher energy density can be beneficial, other factors may make a system with lower energy density more efficient in specific contexts. Evaluating efficiency requires considering the application, goals and overall effectiveness of the system.

However, if the project comes to fruition, it has the potential to offer a multitude of advantages, the obvious one being enabling safe and cost-effective storage and transport of hydrogen. It could also mitigate fluctuations in energy generation and demand and find applications in other industries, including carbon-intensive sectors like petrochemicals and shipping.

There are some challenges to overcome for this to happen, however, one namely being the lack of infrastructure available. According to Gulf Craft, it is not currently looking beyond the R&D phase of implementing the technology in its fleet. “However, our partner, H2-Enterprises, will produce hydrogen from waste, solar, and wind, storing it in LOHC. They plan to collaborate with oil companies to establish LOHC hubs on major shipping routes such as the Suez Canal and in major ports in the coming years, ensuring the availability of LOHC,” adds the spokesperson.

In theory, LOHC is both safer and more economical when compared to traditional hydrogen storage methods. Its compatibility with existing infrastructure and supposedly simple integration into current systems would also address other challenges commonly associated with hydrogen storage and transportation.

If implemented correctly in a superyacht capacity, the introduction of a LOHC-based hydrogen-powered yacht could present a huge leap forward for the industry in its efforts to decarbonise.

“Exploring the technology and potential partnership with H2-Enterprises, which is a pioneering force in the hydrogen and renewable energy sector, allows us to lead in a new era of emissions-free luxury, where opulence and sustainability intertwine seamlessly,” says Mohammed Hussein Alshaali, chairman, Gulf Craft. “We are excited to embark on a significant new milestone in the evolution of luxury yachting and our path to sustainability.”

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