Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft AG (HDW, Kiel, Germany) unveiled what it described as the world's first submarine to be powered by fuel cell technology. The submarine, the first of four in the company's new 212A class being built for the German navy, was launched from the company's shipyard in the northern city of Kiel for testing in the Baltic Sea.
The hydrogen-powered fuel cell vessel is expected to head for Norway in July for deep-water testing, before returning to Kiel next March for final fitting and delivery. The technology is designed to cut out noise and emissions.
