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Hydrogen Fuel Cell - Submarine Propulsion - Deepwater Trials – April 2003
World’s first fuel cell-propelled submarine starts sea trials
From the Howaldtswerke Deutsche-Werft News
Archive – 7 April 2003
[Update 10 Oct. 2007: according to Canadian Press,
DND is already considering replacements for the trouble-prone Victoria class diesel-electric submarines
(their being ”incapable of operating under ice” is a key concern along with delays in the refit for
for full operational use). HDW’s 214 was mention as a possible candidate.
The HFC-powered Type 212A
submarine, U32, established a new world record for longest submerged transit by a non-nuclear submarine. The
U32 submerged in the North Sea on 11 April 2006 before surfacing in the Straits of Gibraltar on 25
April.]
The world's first submarine with hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system made its maiden voyage on April 7,
2003. U 31, the first of four Type 212A submarines to be delivered to the German Navy, is now beginn- ing its
sea trials in the Baltic Sea following extensive port testing at the Kiel shipyards of [ HDW ] AG.
In the initial phase of its trials, U 31 will undertake shallow-water trials in the west- ern part of the Baltic
Sea. Both the marine engineering system and the vessel's operation are to be checked. Aside from the submarine's
crew, both shipyard and supplier staff, as well as inspection personnel from the German Office for Defense
Technology and Procurement (BWB), will be on board.
The second phase mainly involves deep-water trials. U 31 will leave its German home waters
for the first time at the end of July 2003, heading for Norway. The main ports of call will be Kristiansand,
Stavanger and Bergen, with assistance being given by the Norwegian Navy through its facilities. Acoustics,
sonar, and the fire control system will be tested during depth diving trials, preferably per- formed in the
Skagerrak. The first practice torpedoes are to be fired as well.
With its sea trials over, U 31 will return to Kiel in mid-March 2004 for any remain- ing work to be done in the
HDW shipyard. The submarine will then be officially commissioned by the German Navy.
This new class of submarine developed by HDW features air-independent propul- sion based on the hydrogen fuel
cell. Thus, HDW is the world’s first company to provide a production-stage fuel cell propulsion system which
enables submarines to operate submerged for several weeks at a time. Moreover, as the boats generate neither
noise nor heat from exhaust fumes they are virtually undetectable.
Development of the new Type 212A was necessary in view of progress made in submarine detection technologies,
advances in anti-submarine weaponry, and ex- tended deployment areas. A hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system
plus enhanced sensors and weapons technologies will ensure the success of this new generation of submarines in
all conceivable operational areas. The high degree of availability and low maintenance costs are also desirable
features of Type 212A submarines.
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