News / Transport
Ambition to launch hydrogen-powered water taxis between Bristol and Cardiff
A businessman has revealed details of plans to launch an eco-friendly ferry service, saying he wants to make a positive impact in the face of climate change.
Connor Johnson, the director of Patriot International Yachts, is currently working on an international project to install hydrogen-powered technology onto two vessels that he hopes to run as passenger ferries between Bristol’s Floating Harbour and Cardiff.
The first of its kind in the UK, the project is costing in excess of a million Euros and will see the passenger ferries built by Turkish firm ARC Solar Yachts shipped to Britain, where they will be fitted with the hydrogen propulsion drive system and battery.
If all goes according to plan, trials for the new water taxis could begin this autumn.
If trials are successful, the two hydrogen-powered ferries could take passengers between Bristol and Cardiff – photo courtesy of Patriot Yachts
Speaking about why he is trialling this new approach to travel, Johnson says: “We all know that the world needs to reduce the carbon footprint. Europe and other countries have already invested millions, even billions, into new hydrogen production plants and other sectors; such as transport, production and distribution.
“The UK has now realised that we need to do the same as these other countries. I personally undertook this venture to make a small difference not globally but locally; for my sons and daughters and future generations.
“We are currently killing the planet slowly and we all need to learn to adapt to new technology and renewable energy instead of just burning fossils fuels. Hydrogen is the fuel of the future I personally believe.”
Hydrogen propulsion works by reacting the gas with oxygen in a fuel cell to run electric motors, and power will be stored in aluminium batteries that will have a range of 1,500 miles. It is a zero-emission fuel that is seen as green and efficient to run.
Connor Johnson hopes to start trials later this year – photo courtesy of Connor Johnson
Johnson says the two catamarans will be 19m and 12m in length respectively, with the former able to transport 52 passengers and the latter 42.
As there are no current regulations for hydrogen-powered boats, the ferries will need to be certified and inspected by the Maritime Coastguard Agency before they can be put to use.
Patriot International Yachts is registered in Plymouth, has an office address in London and is partnering with firms in the USA, Serbia and Turkey, on developing the hydrogen propulsion technology.
Johnson hopes to start trials on the Bristol to Cardiff ferries within a couple of months and has plans to launch similar services across the UK.
Read more: Western Gateway: ‘A powerhouse waiting to happen’
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