Page 40: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 16, 2026)

Watch the full interview with

Jonas Moberg &

Michael Welch @ feature

Hydrogen Ready Catamaran

For maritime fuel suppliers, the message is clear. Demand

Engineering Challenges and Approvals for hydrogen bunkering will not originate from speculative

Adapting a land-based turbine for marine use required exten- small craft or isolated pilot projects. It will come from large, sive collaboration with DNV for type approval of the turbine high-capacity vessels operating on ? xed routes with predict- core, package and control systems.

able schedules.

Combined-cycle integration presents additional complex-

That predictability — daily calls, de? ned volumes, stable service ity. Weight and volume are critical in a high-speed catama- life — makes ferry operators ideal early adopters of new fuels. If ran. The OTSG was selected speci? cally for low weight and ports align investment with such operators, the hydrogen supply compact footprint.

chain can scale in measured, commercially grounded steps.

Fuel handling presents further engineering hurdles. LNG op- erations bring boil-off management issues, and high-pressure

A Future-Fuels Blueprint fuel requirements add design complexity. Hydrogen introduc-

Horizon X is not simply a fast catamaran. It is a strategic es even greater challenges, particularly in combustion dynam- bridge between LNG-era decarbonization and a hydrogen- ics and ? ashback prevention.

capable future.

These are not incremental adjustments. They are system-

The vessel maintains timetable discipline, preserves opera- level integration exercises.

tional reliability and introduces a propulsion architecture that avoids technological dead ends.

The Cost of Flexibility

For ports, fuel suppliers and maritime stakeholders, the take-

Moberg estimates a capital cost premium of roughly 25% away is straightforward: alternative-fuel vessels are no longer compared to a more conventional vessel of similar capacity.

theoretical. They are entering construction.

Under pure head-to-head economics, that premium would be

The question now shifts from whether ships can burn hydro- dif? cult to justify. But Horizon X is part of a broader ? eet strategy with strong seasonal demand peaks. High capacity gen to whether ports can supply it.

Gotland Horizon X suggests the clock is ticking.

and high speed unlock value in summer operations while fu- ture-proo? ng the asset for a 25-year lifecycle.

By the Numbers: Gotland Horizon X “If we would have gone on a fuel cell version we would have

Type: High-speed Ro-Pax catamaran, multi-fuel, hydrogen-ready been more locked in,” Moberg says. “The ? exibility here is key.”

Length: 130 meters

Beam: 30.5 meters

Fuel cells might offer ef? ciency bene? ts, but they risk tech- 18,300 Gross tonnage: nological lock-in. A multi-fuel turbine platform provides op-

Speed: 30 knots tionality — critical in an era of regulatory uncertainty and

Capacity: 1,500 passengers and 400 cars volatile fuel pricing.

Crossing: ~140 km / 80 nm, ~3 hours

Power into waterjets: about 36 MW (interview) / 36.4

MW (technical paper)

Part-Load Efficiency: A Practical Insight

Builder / contract: Order placed February 2025 with Austal

One of Moberg’s most signi? cant observations concerns

Delivery / entry into service: Moberg cites summer part-load performance. Traditional gas turbines lose ef? ciency 2028 delivery; the technical paper targets entry into service in 2029 2 x Siemens Energy SGT-400 gas turbines (one per hull), sharply away from full power. Combined-cycle con? guration 13 MW each (guaranteed at 10–20°C ambient) ? attens that curve.

Waste heat recovery: once-through steam generator “Ef? ciency actually is almost ? at from 100% down to 50% (OTSG), up to 55 bar, 510°C design inlet temp or lower,” he notes.

Steam turbine: 5.3 MW condensing

Total shaft power to waterjets: ~36–36.4 MW

For ferry operators, that changes the calculus. Ships rarely op-

Overall fuel ef? ciency: close to 50% erate at full power continuously. Designing for real-world oper-

Drive concept: gas turbines drive steerable waterjets; ating pro? les — not theoretical peak conditions — is essential.

steam turbines drive booster waterjets (mechanical drive via gearboxes)

Electrical supply: 1 MW PTI/PTO on main gearboxes + BESS

A Signal to the Fuel Supply Chain + auxiliary gensets; shore connection for cold lay-up

Horizon X does not assume hydrogen infrastructure will ap-

Emissions: Tier III NOx compliance (<2 g/kWh E2/E3) pear overnight. It does something arguably more important: it without SCR; methane slip expected <0.014 g/kWh (50–100% MCR) commits to a vessel architecture that can absorb hydrogen when

Future fuel pathway: retro? t combustor for 100% hydrogen capability; blends supported ports are ready.

40 A New Wave Media Publication • www.marinelink.com • www.oedigital.com 2026_PortoftheFuture_34-48.indd 40 2026_PortoftheFuture_34-48.indd 40 3/3/2026 4:26:06 PM3/3/2026 4:26:06 PM