Sydney-based pleasure craft company Poseidon Marine H2 was established with the vision to harness renewable energy to decarbonise the marine industry. Now the company has engaged a team of internationally respected engineers to accelerate its ambition to build a hydrogen powered boat within the next 18 months.
Poseidon Marine H2 has secured a world-class technology partner to build the hydrogen-powered vessel by the third quarter of 2023. The agreement between the company and Dynamic Efficiency will see principal engineers Peter Mastalir and Kevin Morgan lead the development of an emissions-free pleasure craft.
The engineers boast a combined 75 years’ experience in leading large-scale mechanical-based projects.
“We are thrilled to be working closely with Peter and Kevin, who have a proven track record of spearheading some of Australia’s most innovative mechanical and electrical engineering projects,” says a spokesperson for Poseidon Marine H2.
“This partnership marks an important step forward to providing a clean solution for a sector that comprises 2.5 per cent of global emissions.
“Their expertise – from design to construction – will prove critical to seeing a hydrogen fuelled boat in Australian waters in the next 18 months and play a pivotal role in meeting the global demand for decarbonising the maritime industry.”
Mastalir and Morgan have been appointed to the Poseidon Marine H2 board, and in their work are looking to take the hull of an existing pleasure craft and redesign the fit-out. A series of tests will be conducted to identify the most suitable state-of-the-art solution for powering a vessel with hydrogen that is scalable across markets.
“Initially, we will be following a rigorous 10-month research and development process, then commence building the most commercially viable option,” says Mastalir.
“We intend to use existing technologies as much as possible, which is why we are looking to use an existing hull design with a unique upper deck and internal layout.
“Our number one goal is to build a better boat. It just happens to be that it will be powered by hydrogen.
“The brief is to ensure it has an equivalent operational range, requires less maintenance and is cheaper to run than traditional fuel sources such as diesel.”
Once the hydrogen vessel is commercialised, Poseidon Marine H2 is confident it will lead to quick uptake by significant players in the maritime industry because the majority of the infrastructure for a carbon-free boat is already available.
“The time has come to be serious about developing carbon-free maritime applications,” says Mastalir.
“A step-by-step approach to modifying the current infrastructure is critical to the success of green hydrogen in the marine sector. Poseidon Marine H2 will be invaluable in achieving these outcomes.”