Page 29: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 2026)

PROPULSION ith a growing focus on mitigating climate engines. Additionally, its multi-fuel capability opens the pos- change and progressing toward the Inter- sibility for operation on LNG, bio-LNG, methanol, biodiesel, national Maritime Organization’s (IMO) and 100% hydrogen in the future, paving the way for zero-

W2050 net-zero target, the marine sector emission maritime transport.

is under intense pressure to decarbonize. Today, maritime transport emits nearly one billion tons of CO2 annually, repre- Zero-emissions Transport senting roughly 2-3% of all energy-related carbon emissions Gotlandsbolaget aims to achieve fossil-free ferry crossings worldwide . between the island of Gotland and the Swedish mainland with

Substantial progress has been made over the past decade in no impact on crossing times by 2045, a goal designated “Des- reducing emissions from small commercial and coastal ves- tination Zero.” sels via all-electric and diesel-electric propulsion (DEP) sys- The company formulated its ? rst concept for a low-emis- tems. However, decarbonizing larger ocean-going and cargo- sion ship in 2009. Since then, Gotland Tech Development has carrying ships that travel hundreds or even thousands of miles worked to incorporate and promote the latest technological between stops has proved more dif? cult. advances in shipping to reduce CO2 emissions. While the

In 2025, Siemens Energy, Swedish ferry line operator long-term goal is to use hydrogen-based propulsion technolo-

Gotlandsbolaget, and Australian-based global shipbuilding gies, current design concepts pursue solutions that allow the company, Austal, took a signi? cant step forward in address- use of low-carbon fuels until a complete hydrogen fuel supply ing this challenge with the development of the Gotland Ho- chain is developed. rizon X: a high-speed catamaran that aims to provide zero In 2021, these developments led to the launch of Gotlands-

CO2 emissions crossing between the island of Gotland and bolaget’s ? rst zero-emission concept ships: the Horizon se- the Swedish mainland. ries. Further work has culminated in the vision becoming re-

The vessel will feature Siemens Energy’s SGT-400 high- ality with the order placement in February 2025 with Austal ef? ciency gas turbines in a combined cycle con? guration. The for the multi-fuel, hydrogen-ready Gotland Horizon X high- gas and steam turbines will drive Kongsberg water jets and speed catamaran.

provide the ferry’s electrical loads via power take-offs (PTOs) Horizon X is scheduled to enter service in 2029 and will be on the main gearbox. able to carry 400 cars and 1,500 passengers. With a top speed

The vessel will operate with a fuel ef? ciency of close to of 30 knots, the ship will make the ~140-kilometer crossing in 50% – signi? cantly outperforming traditional marine diesel just over three hours.

Figure 2. Engine room layout on Gotland

Horizon X, showing the combined cycle power plant.

Courtesy Austal www.marinelink.com 29

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