RINA grants AiP for energy-harvesting hydrogen production vessel developed by Drift Energy

RINA has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) certificate to a concept vessel designed to generate and transport green hydrogen while operating at sea.

The AiP was issued to Drift Energy, a UK-based company founded in 2021 that is developing vessels capable of harvesting renewable energy from ocean winds and converting it into hydrogen onboard.

According to Drift Energy, the project aims to support the production and delivery of green hydrogen using mobile offshore generation systems. The company plans to launch its first vessel in 2027 and said it currently has an orderbook exceeding 30 vessels.

Energy generation at sea

The proposed vessels are designed to harness offshore wind energy using hydrokinetic turbines mounted beneath the hull. Electricity generated onboard would power megawatt-scale electrolysers that convert water into hydrogen, which would then be stored onboard for transport and delivery.

The vessels are also expected to use AI-enabled routing systems designed to optimise navigation based on weather conditions and wind availability.

Hydrogen produced onboard would be stored in standard 40-foot containers for unloading at ports or demand centres. Drift Energy said the vessels could also directly bunker ships in port or at anchor, with future plans including ship-to-ship refuelling at sea.

Ben Medland, Founder and CEO of Drift Energy, said:

“The AiP validates the vessel’s feasibility from a class perspective and is a key step towards full plan approval. Our ships are set to play a pivotal role in the global energy transition, and I am delighted that DRIFT is defining the framework that such innovative vessels will be evaluated against in the future.”

Classification and safety assessment

RINA stated that the Approval in Principle was conducted using a risk-based assessment framework to evaluate the vessel’s novel design and confirm that it meets safety standards equivalent to existing marine industry requirements.

Patrizio Di Francesco, North Europe Special Projects Business Development Manager and Principal Engineer at RINA, said:

“Through close technical collaboration with Drift Energy, RINA has assessed a novel design that introduces new approaches to the generation and transport of clean energy at sea, while addressing classification and safety requirements from the earliest stages of development.”

Mobile green hydrogen production concept

Drift Energy said its mobile offshore production approach could offer advantages over fixed renewable energy infrastructure by reducing development timelines and enabling vessels to relocate based on wind conditions and fuel demand.

In addition to supplying marine fuel, the company said potential applications include hydrogen supply for heavy industry, superyachts and island nations with limited renewable energy generation capacity.

The project reflects wider industry interest in green hydrogen as part of long-term maritime decarbonisation strategies, alongside ongoing investment in offshore renewable energy and alternative fuel infrastructure.