The 8th Gas Fuelled Ships Conference will be held onboard the Viking Mariella which will give delegates the unique opportunity to view working fuel cells in situ. Leaving from Helsinki on 13 November, the Mariella will sail to Stockholm, returning to Helsinki on 15 November 2017. Book your place now to see the future of maritime shipping!

Installed as part of the e4ships project, funded by the German government’s National Innovation Program Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology, this project represents ‘the most serious, most advanced and largest fuel cell development project in the world’, according to Gerd Würsig and Ralf Sören Marquardt of DNV GL. The aim of the project is to prove the viability and safety of fuel cells for marine operations, develop feasible technical solutions and feed into the development of regulations facilitating their use – notably the International Maritime Organization’s IGF Code for low flashpoint fuels. Under the Pa-X-ell sub-project, Meyer Werft established demonstrators both at its yard – for first technical examinations of reliability and suitability – and on board the Viking Line ferry Mariella, where a 90kW system comprising methanol-fuelled high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells have been installed. The liquid cooled fuels cells were developed by Fischer Eco Solutions and SerEnergy. They are 5kW modules arranged in racks of six (so three racks are onboard Mariella), and feature internal methanol reformers for hydrogen production.

As part of a number of unique technical visits based around the fuel cells, the Viking Mariella’s Crew will give delegates tours of the ship, including the engine room and bridge and a detailed presentation on the workings of the fuel cells will be given as part of the Conference programme.

Entitled ‘Beyond LNG – a wider view on low flash point and alternative fuels’, this year’s Conference will look at the use of low flash point fuels as a maritime fuel, including take up and feedback by operators from different sectors and will also explore the development and use of alternative fuels. Delegates will learn first-hand from operators on the viability and reliability of LNG, low flash point and alternative fuels together and will learn about design considerations for alternative fuels and retrofitting options.

The Gas Fuelled Ships Conference is the only event to include technical visits and, as ever, this year’s Conference with its unique technical visits will undoubtedly prove to be very popular. Delegate places will include two nights’ accommodation onboard the Viking Mariella, two breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners. Places at the Conference will be limited so delegates are advised to book early to guarantee their place.

Shipowners qualify for special rates.

For further details contact the Events team on +44 1329 825335 or email gasfuelledships@motorship.com.

Follow the event on Twitter @GFShip.