DRIFT Energy has received an Approval in Principle (AiP) from RINA for its energy-harvesting ship design, marking a significant step in the development of vessels capable of producing green hydrogen at sea.
The AiP was presented during Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami and is the first awarded for an energy-harvesting vessel. Through RINA’s risk-based Approval in Principle framework, the assessment confirms that DRIFT’s design meets safety levels equivalent to established marine industry standards while enabling clean energy generation at sea.
DRIFT’s vessels are designed to harness deep ocean wind and convert that energy onboard into green hydrogen. Electricity generated by hydro-kinetic turbines under the hull is converted through electrolysis, with the hydrogen then stored onboard for delivery to ports and other demand centres.
The ships use DRIFT’s proprietary AI-enabled routing technology, GOLDILOCKS, to identify and follow suitable weather patterns, supporting higher renewable energy generation at sea.
Ben Medland, Founder and CEO of DRIFT Energy, said: “Our ships are set to play a pivotal role in the global energy transition, and I am delighted that DRIFT is defining the framework that such innovative vessels will be evaluated against in the future. The AiP validates the vessel’s feasibility from a class perspective and is a key step towards full plan approval.”
DRIFT plans to launch its first ship during 2027, with series production expected to follow. The company reports a current orderbook of more than 30 vessels.
Patrizio Di Francesco, North Europe Special Projects Business Development Manager and Principal Engineer at RINA, said: “This Approval in Principle underscores RINA’s commitment to supporting the safe and credible development of innovative vessel concepts that contribute to the energy transition through the use of green hydrogen as an energy carrier.”
DRIFT aims to support coastal and island communities and other sectors facing challenges linked to grid constraints or limited access to renewable energy.
Render image – a flotilla of DRIFT’s energy harvesting ships at sea.