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A car carrier operated by Swedish shipping firm Wallenius Lines is due to be the first vessel to be tested with the first solid oxide fuel cell in a marine environment, according to media reports.

The first test is scheduled to take place towards the end of this year using a 20KW fuel cell on the vessel Undine.

A further trial is then planned using a 250kw fuel cell, which would be sufficient to generate half of the vessel's electricity demand when in port.

Wallenius Lines has been active in carrying out measures to minimize its impact on the environment. The company's long term strategy is to develop a vessel which is completely emissions free - powered by solar, wind, wave energy, fuel cells running on biofuels or hydrogen produced from seawater.

The company says its aim is simple: "to be ahead of the legislation, always." In trying to achieve this objective, Wallenius Lines has set itself the following targets:

*Decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 30 per cent between 2007 and 2012

*The sulphur content may not exceed 1.5 per cent on average at sea and not exceed 0.2 per cent in port

*Nitrogen oxides shall be reduced by 40 per cent between 2008 and 2012

*Ballast water treatment system installed on all vessels by 2015

*Reduce environmental impact from antifouling coatings

The fuel cell for the project is being provided by leading engine manufacturer Wärtsilä, a company which has also been active in providing environmentally-friendly solutions for the shipping industry.

Please click on the link below to read today's article on the launch of Wärtsilä's new dual-fuel engine, which is said to reduce emissions by approximately 20 percent when the engine is running in gas mode.

www.bunkerindex.com/news/article.php?article_id=3283