LDA’s Liquid Hydrogen-Based SOV Concept Gets Bureau Veritas Approval

April 9, 2025, by Adnan Memija

Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) has received an Approval in Principle (AiP) from Bureau Veritas for its full liquid hydrogen-based service operation vessel (SOV).

*Source: Louis Dreyfus Armateurs via LinkedIn*

The liquid-hydrogen SOV is said to be able to operate 95 per cent of the time with zero carbon emissions, with the vessel only releasing water during standard operations.

This would save approximately 4,000 tonnes of CO2 per year compared to conventional vessels.

The SOV will be able to accommodate up to 90 technicians for 24/7 offshore wind support and maintain 14 days of endurance at sea, according to LDA.

The vessel can be refuelled in just six hours using trailers, avoiding the need for extensive port infrastructure, said the company.

“At LDA, we are committed to developing tailored, purpose-built SOV solutions that push the boundaries of sustainable innovation. In addition to full-electric and dual-fuel methanol solutions, which are already available, we see hydrogen as a key fuel for the future of maritime decarbonization,” added LDA.

Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Unveils Liquid Hydrogen SOV Concept

Business development

In terms of other news coming from LDA, the company was awarded three contracts by Vattenfall at the beginning of this year for the provision of SOVs in Germany.

The SOV agreements, signed in January 2025, are valued at EUR 563 million in total.