France Launches Its First Hydrogen-Electric Fishing Training Vessel, Alba

The LPMA Bastia unveiled the Alba, the first hydrogen-electric fishing training vessel in France, on November 15, 2024.

Alba, designed by MAURIC, a leading naval architecture and marine engineering company, has the potential to transform the future of sustainable fishing operations.

The vessel was inaugurated by the LPMA (Maritime and Aquaculture Professional School of Bastia), which received a €4 million grant from the France 2030 Recovery Plan to develop the zero-emission vessel.

Alba was developed with the help of a consortium of key partners, including CN GATTO Shipyard, Alternative Energies, and EODev, who provided the hydrogen fuel cell technology, REXH2 Range Extenders.

In 2021, LPMA Bastia requested designs for a hydrogen-powered fishing vessel. MAURIC, renowned for designing Mediterranean fishing vessels, led a consortium to respond with a design for a 100% hydrogen-electric training vessel.

Their proposal was selected, and construction began immediately.

The vessel’s design features new hydrodynamic improvements and alternative power sources, allowing it to operate effectively while adhering to environmental standards.

The vessel can reach a maximum speed of 13 knots, exceeding the required 12 knots, and offers an impressive 11-hour autonomy at 10 knots, which is 10% better than expected.

Alba, measuring 19.95 meters in length, has a spacious deck and can be configured to accommodate various fishing training methods, including longline and seine fishing.

The vessel can accommodate up to 12 students and 2 instructors and has removable winches and tackles that can be adjusted within hours to suit different fishing techniques.

The wheelhouse and fuel cell room are large enough to accommodate several people to work and learn at the same time. The fuel cell room, which houses the hydrogen system, is large enough for students and instructors to stand comfortably, an unusual feature for a vessel of this size.

The vessel has two 70kW REXH2 Range Extenders and two 178kWh battery packs, providing a fully redundant power-propulsion system.

The propulsion system consists of two 200kW electric motors powered by two separate battery packs and REXH2 units, with a hydrogen storage capacity of 75 kg.

Alba arrived safely at Bastia’s homeport on November 7, 2024, after extensive trials, including dockside and sea tests, to ensure the vessel’s operational efficiency.

Guillaume Rocolle, Naval Architect and Project Manager at MAURIC, said the project shows the company’s ability to coordinate major technological innovations, from CFD hull optimization to integrating state-of-the-art energy systems.

Alba is not merely H2-ready. It is the first French professional vessel operating exclusively on hydrogen and batteries, says the Sales and Business Development Director at MAURIC, Fabrice Ghozlan, adding that this technology is ready and France possesses the expertise to build such vessels.

Reference: MAURIC