b'Partner News Spring 2024 29Corporateretrofit complexities, demonstrates BMTs commitment to engineering excellence and innovation.Lee Hedd, BMTs Regional Sales Director for North America and Canada, expresses enthusiasm for the projects potential to drive sustainable advancements. The study not only explores alternative fuels but also highlights BMTs capability to address the unique challenges of decarbonisation, reinforcing the companys role as a frontrunner in maritime innovation.Key findings from the study underscore the feasibility of hydrogen fuel cells as a potential long-term cost-effective propulsion solution, offering a promising outlook for the transition to low-carbon fuels. Whilst the use of dual fuel propulsion could be the market driver to support investments whilst reducing the risk of stranded assets for vessel owners and operators. Despite the current cost BMT & PA investigatepremium for green technologies, the research anticipates a narrowing cost differential, spurred by technological advancements and supportive policy frameworks. Many of hydrogen retrofitthe challenges highlighted in the study are applicable to other alternative fuels that are under investigation for use in maritime applications. for ferries This joint initiative between BMT and PA Consulting is a leading example of industry collaboration to explore available decarbonisation solutions, backed by deep In a collaborative move, IET CorporateThe collaborative effort delves into variousengineering and commercial expertise. The Partners BMT, a leader in maritimeaspects of hydrogen technology, includingstudys findings, presented at prestigious innovation, and PA Consulting have unveiledproduction pathways and storage methods,industry forums and available on BMTs a groundbreaking study on the retrofittingensuring a holistic approach to this complexwebsite (www.bmt.org/news/2023/of medium-sized Ro-Pax ferries withchallenge. The focus on retrofitting, asretrofitting-ro-pax-ferries-with-hydrogen propulsion technology.opposed to building new vessels, couldhydrogen-propulsion), invite stakeholders provide a practical and cost-effectiveto explore the possibilities of alternative fuel This collaboration marks a significantstrategy for reducing emissions in the shortadoption, setting the course for a greener step towards the maritime sectorsto medium term. maritime future.decarbonisation efforts, addressing the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gasDr. Thomas Beard from BMT and Mike DavisIn conclusion, the joint study by BMT emissions that contribute significantly tofrom PA Consulting, leading voices in theand PA Consulting represents a key step global warming. study, emphasise the importance of thisforward in the maritime industrys journey research to explore available options totowards sustainability. By addressing The study, a leading example of innovationhelp meet the maritime sectors net-zerothe technical and economic aspects of in maritime engineering, investigates thetargets. The detailed analysis, groundedretrofitting with hydrogen technology, viability of transforming existing Ro-Paxin real-world vessel operations, movesthis research allows one of the potential ferries to run on low-carbon hydrogen,beyond theoretical discussions to providepaths forward to be properly understood, one of the potential alternative fuels beingactionable insights for the industry. offering clarity in the face of environmental explored by the maritime industry. Bychallenges. As the industry grapples with examining three retrofitting scenarios, theThe chosen case study, an 85-meterthe imperative of emission reduction, the research offers a comprehensive analysisRo-Pax catamaran, is indicative of manyinsights from this study serve as a valuable of the technical and economic implications,vessels currently operational in theresource for decision-makers, paving providing a realistic picture of the practicalsector. The studys detailed approach,the way for a cleaner, more sustainable feasibility of adopting hydrogen propulsion.considering operational profiles andmaritime sector.'