U.S. Coastline Shores First Liquid Hydrogen Maritime Initiative by SWITCH
SWITCH Maritime, in collaboration with LH2 Shipping and LMG Marin, is actively developing a liquid hydrogen-fueled Roll-on/Roll-off Passenger (RoPax) vessel for the Pacific Northwest region. This move comes after the successful launch and operation of the Sea Change, the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell-electric passenger ferry, which began service in July 2024 [1].
The California-based company is focused on decarbonizing maritime transport by deploying zero-emission vessels using a "zero-emissions-as-a-service" model. In addition to the Pacific Northwest project, SWITCH Maritime is also developing zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell ferries for New York City waters, supported by grants such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) [1].
Adapting the vessel for US Coast Guard compliance is a crucial aspect of the project. While the specific technical details of compliance adaptation are not publicly detailed, the collaboration with LMG Marin, an engineering firm specializing in naval architecture and marine engineering, implies that the vessel design will meet regulatory frameworks, including those of the US Coast Guard. This includes ensuring safety standards, fuel system integrity, and operational regulations are met, especially for novel fuels like liquid hydrogen [1].
The upcoming RoPax vessel, set to be constructed in the US, will be a 80-car, 300-passenger vehicle ferry, powered by liquid hydrogen (LH). The ferry will have a service speed of 14 knots and will require no shoreside electric charging infrastructure for fueling. Each fueling will take approximately 2 hours to transfer 150 kilograms, allowing for three consecutive days of passenger operation [1].
The RoPax vessel's fueling will follow the same IGF Code that applies to cryogenic LNG fueling of ships in the US, using a precedent regulatory framework. The ferry design is already DNVGL-classed and is currently operating in Norway [1].
Pace Ralli, the Founder & CEO of SWITCH, is proud to be at the forefront of the energy transition in US maritime shipping. The Sea Change, SWITCH's first hydrogen-powered vessel, is a 75-passenger catamaran ferry with 600 kW of electric motor propulsion and 360 kW of fuel cells. The RoPax vessel, while larger, will only emit pure H0 vapor, with zero carbon or other diesel-related emissions [1].
The project is a collaboration between SWITCH Maritime, LH2 Shipping, and LMG Marin in Norway. The Norwegian predecessor of the RoPax vessel, the MF Hydra, has successfully received LH fuel approximately 50 times since starting hydrogen-powered operation in March 2023 [1].
As of August 2025, SWITCH Maritime is presenting updates publicly, reflecting ongoing active development and regulatory collaboration [1].
[1] SWITCH Maritime Press Release, August 2025.
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