Projects
LH2 Shipping’s portfolio reflects the progression of low- and zero-emission shipping, from LNG and battery-electric vessels to advanced liquid hydrogen solutions.
The Samskip Sea Shuttle Project
A next-generation 150-passenger ferry, designed to double the capacity and speed of Sea Change — with the same drop-in operational profile.
The SWITCH-150 platform is engineered for high-frequency commuter routes in dense urban markets. Switch Maritime is targeting construction to start in mid 2026, with the first vessel entering service in New York City waters upon completion.
Specifications
Passengers: 150
Service speed: 25 knots
Range: 300nm
Propulsion: Hydrogen fuel cell-electric hybrid
Hydrogen storage: Compressed hydrogen gas
LH2 Shipping is assisting Switch Maritime (US) with safety and risk assesments, bunkering procedures, authority's aproval for bunkering operations and the bunMARIkering facilitations and operations.
Photo/Source: SWITCH Maritime LLC
The Viking Cruices Viking Libra & Viking Astrea Project
Scheduled for delivery in November 2026, the Viking Libra is a pioneering, 54,300-ton, 238-meters, 998-guest ocean ship designed as the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship capable of operating with zero emissions. It uses a hybrid system with liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells, allowing for zero-emission operations in sensitive, areas.
Viking Libra is part of a larger eco-conscious investment by Viking, with a sister ship, Viking Astrea, planned for 2027. Both ships are built by Fincantieri in Italy.
LH2 Shipping is assisting Viking Cruices (Norway/Switserland) with safety and risk assesments, bunkering procedures, authority's aproval for bunkering operations, crew training and the bunkering facilitations and operations.
Photo/Source: Viking Cruices.
Switch Maritime Sea Change
Sea Change is the first hydrogen-powered ferry in the US.
Switch received the first US Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection to be commercially operational, and has been in service since July 2024. It's proof that hydrogen-powered ferry transit isn't a future concept — and every lesson learned is built into what comes next.
Specifications
Passengers: 300
Service speed: 30 knots
Range: 300nm
Propulsion: Hydrogen fuel cell-electric hybrid
Hydrogen storage: Liquid hydrogen
LH2 Shipping is assisting Switch Maritime in the US with commuter routes in New York and San Francisco. Aiming to develop and build zero-emission, safe and cost-efficient high-speed passenger ferries for urban transport.
Photo/Source: SWITCH Maritime LLC
Switch Maritime SWITCH-150
Establishing a green corridor, saiing the Rotterdam – Oslo route emission-free on liquid hydrogen, Spring 2027.
Samskip's two liquid hydrogen-powered SeaShuttles will operate between Matrans Rotterdam Terminal and the Port of Oslo. Samskip is now taking the next step by electrifying their Matrans terminal in Rotterdam, working towards an entire logistics chain powered by renewable energy.
LH2 Shipping is assisting Samskip (The Netherlands) with safety and risk assesments, bunkering procedures, authority's aproval for bunkering operations, crew training and the bunkering facilitations and operations.
Photo/Source: Samskip Holding B.V.
Switch Maritime SWITCH-300
A high-speed, high-capacity platform for long-haul passenger and leisure routes — hydrogen-powered at a scale not previously possible.
The SWITCH-300 is Switch Maritime's most ambitious vessel platform, designed for routes that demand speed, range, and capacity at scale. Currently in technical feasibility and concept development, the SWITCH-300 expands the hydrogen ferry model to 300 passengers at 30 knots — a low emission option for services where no alternative has existed. Switch Maritime is additionally looking to expand the platform to scale to 450+ passengers.
Specifications
Passengers: 300
Service speed: 30 knots
Range: 300nm
Propulsion: Hydrogen fuel cell-electric hybrid
Hydrogen storage: Liquid hydrogen
LH2 Shipping is assisting Switch Maritime (US) with safety and risk assesments, bunkering procedures, authority's aproval for bunkering operations and the bunkering facilitations and operations.
Photo/Source: SWITCH Maritime LLC
Switch Maritime SWITCH-RoPax
SWITCH plans to commence the US construction of the existing 80-car, 300-passenger RoPax vehicle ferry design (DNVGL-classed) that is successfully operating in Norway on liquid hydrogen fuel.
Specifications
Passengers: 300 pax/80 cars
Service speed: 14 knots
Range: 1000+nm
Propulsion: Hydrogen fuel cell-electric hybrid, with backup diesel generators
Hydrogen storage: Liquid hydrogen
LH2 Shipping is assisting Switch Maritime (US) with safety and risk assesments, bunkering procedures, authority's aproval for bunkering operations and the bunkering facilitations and operations.
Photo/Source: SWITCH Maritime LLC
Our technical, safety and operational solutions enable the design, approval and operation of LH₂-powered vessels, while advancing our own zero-emission vessel and infrastructure projects.
#5&6 StrandBulk
The STRANDBULK Project by LH2 Shipping, Applied for ENOVA support, Spring 2026.
Support NOK 344,4 Million granted 16 June 2026.
Ill.: LH2 Shipping AS.
#3&4 NordBulk - 2x LH₂ 7700 dwt bulk carriers
The NORDBULK project will develop, build and commission 2 pcs. 7700 dwt. bulk carriers for short sea shipping with the carriage of bulk/general cargo mainly between North of Norway and Continent/Baltic.
Norwegian port calls constitute 67% of the total, where 74% of the sailing time is in Norwegian waters. The ships will use liquid hydrogen (LH2) as the main fuel source and operate 100% emission-free year-round. Bunkering of LH2 will take place in North of Norway.
The ships will have a length of 108.2m and a width of 18.1m. The onboard hydrogen systems will consist of 17t LH2 storage capacity and 3,5MW PEM fuel cells. A battery pack of approximately 1,5 MWh will be installed to support the fuel cells.
December 2025, LH2 Shipping secured for the Nordbulk Porject NOK 299 million in Enova state funding to intensifie the efforts for the maritime decarbonisation together with ship owner and operator Strand Shipping Bergen, Part of Vertom Group BV. The ship designer is LMG Marin.
LH2 Shipping is Project Owner and Project Lead for the NordBulk Project.
Ill.: LH2 Shipping AS.
#1&2 HydroBulk - 2x LH₂ 5000 dwt bulk carriers
The HYDROBULK project will develop, build and commission 2 psc. 5000 dwt. bulk carriers for short sea shipping between Norway/Sweden and the Continent.
The ships will use LH₂ (Liquid hydrogen) as the main fuel source, where fuel cells and batteries work together in hybrid systems, and will operate 100% emission-free all year round.
The ships will have a length of approx. 96m and a width of approx. 16m and have approx. 11 tonnes of LH₂ storage capacity and 2 MW power output on PEM fuel cells on board. A 1 MWt battery pack will be installed to support the fuel cells. The ships will be arranged to use shore power where this is available for loading and unloading operations.
The ships are designed with an efficient hull and propulsion solution that will have a minimum of 30% lower energy requirements compared to current ships in the same segment. Wind sails will be installed that will further reduce the energy requirements on board by approx. 10% annually. Other energy-saving technologies are included in the design with regard to propulsion, structural weight and an efficient energy management system on board.
The ship designer is LMG Marin.
June 2025, LH2 Shipping secured from Enova MNOK 237,6 from in state support for the ships construction of these world’s first two bulk carriers powered by liquid hydrogen (LH₂).
LH2 Shipping is Project Owner and Project Lead for the HYDROBULK Project.
Ill.: LH2 Shipping AS.
Our unique MF Hydra represents years of dedicated work and collaboration, pioneering technology, and valuable operational experience.
MF Hydra & MF Nesvik Ship Development
MF Nesvik and MF Hydra are pioneering, sister car ferries operated by the Norwegian company Norled. Both vessels were designed by LMG Marin and built at Westcon Yards in Ølen to service the same triangular route across the Hjelmeland, Skipavik, and Nesvik fjords in Rogaland.
While both hold the same capacity (299 passengers and 80 cars) and represent quiet, energy-efficient designs, they rely on different propulsion systems:
MF Hydra (2023, Norled) is the world's first liquid hydrogen-powered passenger ferry, while MF Nesvik has a fully electric battery-hybrid propulsion system. Hydra operates using a combination of batteries and hydrogen fuel cells, which chemically convert liquid hydrogen into electricity for zero-emission propulsion. The hydrogen systems were engineered by Linde Engineering with fuel cells from Ballard. Approved by Det Norske Veritas (DNV).
Key personnel in LH2 Shipping were central in realising MF Hydra, managing the project from start to finish.
LH2 Shipping was subsequently established to further develop and commercialise this technology when Norled chose not to pursue its technical development internally.
Photo: LH2 Shipping AS.
MF Hydra Bunkering Tower development
A defining achievement of this project was our development of the world’s first LH₂ bunkering tower. This one-of-a-kind infrastructure was custom-engineered specifically for the MF Hydra, overcoming unprecedented technical and regulatory hurdles.
By integrating the vessel’s design with its shore-side refueling system, we established a proven safety and risk-management framework that is now the industry benchmark. Approved by Det Norske Veritas (DNV).
Fuel supply and bunkering towers are integrated in our engineering services when advancing the MH Hydra technology, deveolping vessel types to a wide range of operations in coastal and short sea shipping.
Photo: LH2 Shipping AS.
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We look forward to engaging with partners on concrete opportunities in zero-emission shipping.