Arctic Directory: Foss Maritime joins with laboratory on research

Seattle-based Foss and its Hawaiian subsidiary, Young Brothers Ltd., are partnering with hydrogen researchers at Sandia National Laboratory. They are building a portable, self-contained hydrogen fuel cell for six months of testing at the Port of Honolulu beginning in 2015. The prototype can be installed on barges, provide power to refrigerated containers on the dock or be transported to wherever it is needed to generate electricity.

The completed system will be deployed by Young Brothers Ltd., which ships goods throughout the Hawaiian Islands. The unit is undergoing detailed engineering and design through mid-2014 and, after construction and an additional month of training for Young Brothers operators, will be operational in a six-month test phase in early 2015.

“The hydrogen fuel cell is exciting new technology,” said Paul Stevens, CEO and president of Foss Maritime. “It underscores once again our company’s willingness to innovate and find solutions to decrease emissions from our operations. The entire maritime industry stands to benefit from the work we’ll be doing with Sandia’s hydrogen researchers.”

The Hawaii project is jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration. Two other companies are involved in the project: Hydrogenics Corp. will build the prototype unit and provide fuel cells; and, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute will provide assistance with the availability of hydrogen. For more information visit www.foss.com.