The PACBOAT R&D project for cleaner and greener ships

4 February 2020 - Projects update and handover - France

The steel cutting ceremony for the MSC Europa cruise ship provided the opportunity to publicly announce PACBOAT, a research and development project designed to contribute to Europe’s transition towards a carbon-neutral economy by 2050.

The goal is to fit the cruise ship with a demonstrator for a new kind of solid oxide fuel cell that will generate electricity and heat from liquefied natural gas (LNG).
This technology was developed and patented by the CEA (the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission). It could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30% compared to standard dual fuel engines using LNG, and release no nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide or fine particles.
Chantiers de l’Atlantique, a shipyard, is leading this multi-partner project. It is backed by the PIA (forward-looking investment programme) that Ademe (the French Environment and Energy Management Agency) is operating, and is part of Ecorizon®, an R&D programme Chantiers de l’Atlantique set in motion in 2008 to upgrade energy and environmental efficiency in ships.
Entrepose (VINCI Construction) is designing and building the demonstrator for the first LNG-powered cruise ship made in France, and Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification services, will verify its installation and operation.