Finalization of the ZEPH2 project: low-carbon offshore maintenance vessel with hybrid hydrogen propulsion

On June 11, 2024, the ZEPH2 consortium announced the end of design studies for an offshore maintenance vessel with a low carbon footprint, winner of the Brittany Region's cross-sector call for projects in June 2022. This consortium brings together five companies : Zéphyr et Borée, Piriou, Sofresid Engineering, Entech and ComposiTIC.

The vessel, a Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV), will integrate hydrogen hybrid technology, reducing CO2 emissions by 50 to 70% compared to a conventional diesel vessel. These studies include a technical and economic offer and are certified by Bureau Veritas. A life cycle analysis carried out by the University of Bretagne Sud confirms the environmental benefits.

The target market includes the maintenance of offshore wind farms in France and Europe, a booming sector with contracts of 5 to 10 years. The ZEPH2 project's CTV, equipped with 800 kW of fuel cells and 350 kg of hydrogen, will reduce around 670 tonnes of CO2eq per year.

This project is part of a broader strategy aimed at establishing a French competitiveness cluster dedicated to marine hydrogen, with promising market horizons, particularly with a view to the French energy objectives for 2050.