H2Marine secures $61k in funding to develop hydrogen-powered H2RendezVous boat

The project to build one of Australia’s first emission-free marine vessels in the Whitsundays has secured a small part of the funding for a special machine. DETAILS

The project to build Australia’s first emission-free marine vessel in the Whitsundays has secured a small part of the funding for a special building machine. Picture: Contributed

The project to build Australia’s first emission-free marine vessel in the Whitsundays has secured a small part of the funding for a special machine.

Frolleka Pty Ltd, which operates as H2Marine, is building the first zero-emission tourism vessel on the Great Barrier Reef, the H2 RendezVous, which will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

The vessel would cater for up to 60 guests and offer a high-speed inter Whitsunday Islands transfer service as well as tours to the outer Great Barrier Reef, all running on green energy.

H2Marine has secured a $61,000 grant via the $1.9m Queensland government Business Growth Fund for purchasing a European-built machine that would allow it to build the hydrogen-powered boats onsite.

Ricochet Yachting and H2Marine founder Frank Hobson said the company would start building the shed in the first six months of 2024, then start on the actual construction of the hydrogen-powered boats in the later part of the year.

“Our aim is to see the Whitsundays become Queensland’s marine vessel hub for construction and repairs, specialising in large zero-emission craft,” he said.

Ricochet Yachting and H2Marine founder Frank Hobson is still waiting for funding outcomes on his project to build the country’s first hydrogen-powered vessel. Picture: Contributed

Mr Hobson said securing fund for a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine was only a small part of the puzzle, but that it would guarantee the company’s independence in manufacturing parts of the proposed boat.

“We won’t have to ask overseas suppliers,” Mr Hobson said, adding that the high-end precision technology would allow them to accurately cut the panel components for construction.

“It makes it that you’re a proper boat building facility, not just a kit builder.

This is the projected design of the H2 RendezVous boat. Picture: Contributed

“You’re actually making the parts from the ground up all the way through.”

Mr Hobson had previously signed a memorandum of understanding with H2 Energy Company, a hydrogen distribution company, to develop and supply hydrogen to the new vessel, with the key part of the project to set up a hydrogen distribution centre onsite.

“It’s logistically impossible, basically, to run hydrogen vessels without a distribution facility,” he said.

Mr Hobson added that the company had applied for a number of grants from government to build a hydrogen reservoir and that they should receive answers early next year.

“We’d love to have two tons of hydrogen in storage, that’s our goal,” he said.

“But obviously if we don’t get the funding from the government, we’ll have to have a much smaller distribution centre.”

Plans for a hydrogen-fuelled luxury yacht developed by Ricochet Yachting, which operates from Hamilton Island. Picture: Ricochet Yachting

Mr Hobson had previously told this publication that the emerging technology and vessel build would be a big cost to his company, and operationally higher than using traditional fossil fuels, but projections that hydrogen will come in under $2 per kilogram by 2030 suggested it was a savvy financial decision to make for the future.

In addition, the use of electric outboard engines would quieten the vessels, reducing noise pollution on tours and increasing the profile of zero-emission holidays for the environmentally conscious.

The benefits of hydrogen-powered marine according to Elvin Group Renewables and Hydrogen Integration Technologies which are asking for the Whitsunday Regional Council to support an $18m ammonia hydrogen fuel project in the Whitsundays. Picture: Supplied

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer praised the company for embracing the “hydrogen revolution”, to decarbonise on-water transport.

“Grant funding will help accelerate the growth of the H2Marine facility to meet demand, as more Queenslanders seek to reduce their transport emissions,” she said.

“I look forward to seeing how local businesses across Queensland turn this grant funding into enhanced productivity, more jobs and better economic returns.”