A hydrogen-powered fishing vessel is taking shape in Latvia
A new hydrogen-powered coastal fishing vessel is being developed in Latvia, demonstrating how fuel-cell technology can decarbonise small-scale maritime activities. The project highlights a practical pathway for hydrogen adoption in fisheries across the Baltic Sea region.
NEWS
HydrogenLatvia
3/11/20263 min read
The transition to zero-emission maritime operations is often discussed in the context of large cargo ships and ferries. Yet an equally important transformation is beginning at a much smaller scale — in coastal fisheries.
A new hydrogen-powered fishing vessel currently under development in Latvia demonstrates how fuel-cell technology can be adapted for small working boats operating in the Baltic Sea. The initiative shows that hydrogen is not only relevant for heavy shipping, but also for local maritime industries that rely on reliable, efficient vessels operating close to shore.
From diesel engines to hydrogen fuel cells
Small fishing vessels across Europe still rely almost exclusively on diesel propulsion. For coastal fishermen, electrification alone is often insufficient due to limited range and operational flexibility.
Hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion offers an alternative approach. In such systems, hydrogen stored onboard is converted into electricity through a fuel cell, powering electric motors and onboard equipment. The process produces only water as a by-product while eliminating carbon emissions and significantly reducing noise and vibration.
For fishing operations — where quiet propulsion and stable power supply for equipment are valuable — hydrogen-electric systems can offer clear operational advantages.
A Latvian prototype designed for coastal fisheries
The vessel being developed in Latvia is designed specifically for the needs of small-scale coastal fishermen. The concept focuses on boats under 12 metres in length, which represent the majority of the fishing fleet in many Baltic countries.
The prototype integrates:
a hydrogen fuel-cell power system
electric propulsion
battery storage for operational flexibility
energy systems tailored for fishing equipment and onboard operations
The vessel is being developed within a European collaboration project H2-SEAS (Horizon Europe) involving research institutions, shipbuilders, and hydrogen technology providers. The project is led by Riga Technical University, with the vessel being built at the Latvian shipyard AtoZ.
Once operational, the vessel will serve as a demonstration platform to test hydrogen propulsion under real fishing conditions in the Baltic Sea.
Part of a broader European transition
Latvia’s project is part of a growing wave of hydrogen maritime pilots across Europe.
Several similar initiatives are emerging:
Norway’s MS Skulebas, a hydrogen-powered fishing and training vessel combining fuel cells with battery storage for zero-emission operations.
France’s ALBA hydrogen-electric fishing training vessel.
EU-funded projects exploring hydrogen propulsion systems specifically for small-scale fisheries.
These initiatives reflect a broader effort to decarbonise maritime activities that traditionally fall outside large shipping decarbonisation strategies.
Why hydrogen matters for fisheries
Decarbonising fisheries presents a unique set of challenges. Fishing vessels operate in remote coastal areas, require high operational flexibility, and often spend long hours at sea.
Hydrogen offers several advantages in this context:
Extended range compared to batteries alone
Fast refuelling, suitable for daily fishing cycles
Lower noise levels, beneficial for fishing operations
Potential integration with renewable energy systems at ports
For coastal regions around the Baltic Sea, hydrogen could eventually be produced locally using renewable electricity and supplied through small-scale port infrastructure.
Implications for the Baltic hydrogen ecosystem
Beyond the vessel itself, projects like this play an important role in building the broader hydrogen ecosystem.
They help to:
demonstrate hydrogen technologies in real maritime operations
identify regulatory and safety frameworks for small vessels
stimulate development of hydrogen supply infrastructure in ports
strengthen regional expertise in maritime hydrogen systems
For Latvia in particular, the initiative brings together maritime engineering, shipbuilding, and hydrogen technology — sectors that could play a significant role in the country’s emerging hydrogen economy.
A practical step toward zero-emission maritime operations
While large ocean-going vessels will require different technological solutions, hydrogen-powered coastal vessels represent a realistic near-term opportunity. Small demonstrators like this fishing vessel provide the testing ground for technologies, regulations, and operational models that could later scale across maritime sectors.
For the Baltic region — where fishing, coastal transport, and port activities remain essential parts of the blue economy — hydrogen may soon become part of everyday maritime operations.