Blue World Technologies and Tuco Marine have entered a partnership to develop methanol fuel cell-powered workboats.

To secure long range, no harmful emissions, and a net-zero operation, Blue World and Tuco have agreed on developing and demonstrating a flexible methanol fuel cell solution for electric workboats. The Blue World methanol fuel cell technology provides a green alternative to the maritime industry and depending on boat type, the flexible fuel cell-powered solution can be used for auxiliary power or propulsion. Due to its flexibility, it is adaptable in terms of space available or placement on the ship. The methanol fuel cell system provides low maintenance, has zero SOx, NOx, and particle emission as well as a CO2 neutral operation. Tuco supplies ProZero series, a range of fast boats for professionals. The ProZero workboats are built to meet any challenge under the toughest conditions. They offer workboats for a multitude of specialised purposes, such as line handling, pilot services, and transfer operations. The number of available options is almost endless; large, customised work deck areas, cranes and lifting gear, bow doors for easy boarding of equipment are just a few of them. Tuco’s lightweight design saves fuel and downsizes operation costs, which will benefit the environment and contribute to the green transition.

Tuco Marine and Blue World Technologies are shaping the future for a more sustainable world, and in collaboration, they will push for a greener maritime sector through a commercial agreement. To eliminate harmful emissions such as NOx, SOx and particles, they have agreed to partner up on developing a workboat powered by methanol. With the highly efficient and cost-effective fuel cell solution provided by Blue World technologies and the custom-built, lightweight workboats from Tuco, the marine sector is given a realistic substitute for combustion-based power. This solution creates a partnership that actively paves the way for a green future that, furthermore, reduces CO2 emissions by up to 100 % from the well-to-wheel perspective.

“Tuco is founded on the belief that we should not affect the environment more than we need to. Our innovative approach to delivering products that weigh less and save fuels is a step toward a more sustainable future,“ says CEO, Jonas Pedersen, from Tuco Marine.

“Blue World Technologies´ methanol fuel cell system provides several benefits for the maritime industry, and with the focus on alternative power solutions, this collaboration between Tuco and Blue World is a great match. Our hope for the future is that the industry will start to change its old ways of doing things, and pursue environmentally friendly solutions like the ones that we offer,“ states Mads Friis Jensen, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-founder of Blue World Technologies.

The interest in using methanol as a fuel within the maritime industry is increasing. Maersk, the world´s largest container shipping company, leads the way by ordering 12 large ocean-going container ships that will run on green methanol already from 2024. Hereby, they have taken responsibility, and have become first-movers by choosing a green alternative to secure a net-zero operation.

The collaboration between Blue World Technologies and Tuco has been established through the BlueDolphin project, in which Aalborg University is also a partner. The BlueDolphin is a development project for smaller vessels, e.g. workboats that will be powered by a fuel cell system running on liquid methanol. The project funding has been granted by EUPD to support the development and demonstration of methanol fuel cells in workboats.