Ricardo secures Lloyd’s Register Approval in Principle for innovative hydrogen solution for maritime

Securing Approval in Principle for its innovative hydrogen fuel cell power plant system will enable Ricardo to support clients in shipping, a hard-to-decarbonise sector.  

Ricardo, a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company, has received Approval in Principle (AiP) from Lloyd's Register, the leading provider of classification and compliance services to the marine and offshore industries, for the design of its cutting-edge multi-megawatt containerised fuel cell power plant solution. 

The technology has been designed and developed by Ricardo as part of the Sustainable Hydrogen Powered Shipping (sHYpS) project, for which the company is applying its world-leading expertise in the hydrogen value chain to implement innovative hydrogen technologies. 

Ricardo is the Fuel Cell System partner in the sHYpS project, which includes the specification, design, build and test of a ~500kW gross, 375kW net power fuel cell module (RFC500) and the design of a 40-foot containerised multi-megawatt power plant that combines the outputs of several fuel cell modules.

The granting of Approval in Principle by Lloyd’s Register signals confidence that this technology has the potential to satisfy regulatory requirements and can be used more widely as a solution to support future decarbonisation across the maritime industry.  

Ricardo is about to start testing the RFC500 module and is now assembling its marine containerisation system in its new, purpose-built fuel cell facilities at its Shoreham Technical Centre in the UK. 

Jason Oms O’Donnell, Managing Director of Automotive & Industrial at Ricardo, said: “This represents a significant achievement in our progress to support our customers in the maritime industry with the technology to enable them to deliver on their decarbonisation strategies. AiP offers us an opportunity to progress with a roadmap for full regulatory compliance of our containerised solution. It gives confidence for investment and signals that there are no major obstacles to future certification or classification." 

“We are investing in our hydrogen capabilities, and in particular, we are seeing a lot of interest from customers in the maritime, aerospace, and off-highway sectors for the services that we provide. It’s an exciting time to be involved in supporting sustainable mobility, due to the significant changes that are taking place, based on regulatory and legislative requirements. We are very well placed to support our customers with their future decarbonisation journey.”

This is the latest example of Ricardo’s capability in hydrogen technology supporting decarbonisation in the maritime industry. On 7 May 2024 Ricardo announced the expansion of its hydrogen testing capabilities for global clients through investment in facilities at its Shoreham Technical Centre in the UK to develop testing of large-scale marine engines. 

Find out more about the sHYpS project by visiting the designated website.

“The sHYpS project is co-funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe, the European Union’s research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement Number 101056940. The consortium of members represents 5 European countries: Italy, France, Czechia, Germany, Norway and UK. UK participants are supported by UK RI grant numbers 10038162 (Ricardo UK) and 10039049 (Lloyd’s Register).  Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Innovate UK. Neither the European Union nor Innovate UK can be held responsible for them.”