An ultramax bulk carrier in the Lavinia Bulk fleet operated by Laskaridis Shipping is starting an 18-month pilot project to test using fuel cells to supply its entire electrical needs.

The methanol-fuelled system will be fitted to the Greek shipping group’s 63,459-dwt bulker Leonidas (built 2017) in a co-project with French classification society Bureau Veritas.

Advent Technologies fuel cells will provide power for all the battery systems on board the vessel, Suzanna Laskaridis, chairwoman of Lavinia Group, the holding company of Laskaridis Shipping, told TradeWinds.