The passenger ship Saphir has emerged from the Shiptec shipyard as Switzerland’s first hydrogen-powered vessel following a major retrofit by SGV AG and energy partner Axpo. Powered by green hydrogen produced locally by H2Uri AG, the ship will eliminate 50,000 liters of fossil fuel consumption annually while providing near-silent, zero-emission operations. Pending successful trials, the 300-passenger vessel is scheduled to resume its scenic route on Lake Lucerne on Good Friday, March 26, 2027.

 

Lucerne | October 28, 2026 – Switzerland’s inland navigation is entering a revolutionary new era. The passenger vessel Saphir, operated by the Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (SGV) AG, has emerged from the Shiptec shipyard as the country’s first-ever hydrogen-powered passenger ship.

 

Following a complex, multi-year retrofit and a high-profile strategic partnership with Swiss energy giant Axpo, the vessel represents a massive leap forward in decarbonizing commercial shipping on Alpine lakes. Pending the successful conclusion of upcoming trial runs and final regulatory approvals, the Saphir is scheduled to resume commercial passenger operations on Good Friday, March 26, 2027, servicing the scenic 1-hour round trip across the Lucerne lake basin with a scheduled stop in Kastanienbaum.

 

A Strategic Energy Alliance: SGV AG Meets Axpo

 

At the heart of this milestone project is a powerful cross-industry collaboration. Axpo, Switzerland’s largest electricity producer, has stepped in as the official energy partner for the MS Saphir, combining SGV AG’s decades of maritime operational expertise with Axpo’s deep know-how across the entire hydrogen value chain.

 

The partnership is already making waves, literally and visually. The Saphir boasts striking new ship branding, serving as the first visible emblem of the collaboration, with further joint sustainability initiatives slated to roll out across the fleet in the coming months.

 

Crucially, Axpo serves as the majority shareholder in H2Uri AG, the enterprise currently constructing Central Switzerland’s pioneering hydrogen production facility on the grounds of the Bürglen power plant in the Canton of Uri. By commissioning this plant, Axpo is heavily scaling its green hydrogen portfolio to fuel regional transport and industry.

 

The green hydrogen powering the Saphir will be sourced directly from this regional ecosystem, backed by a consortium that includes energyUri AG, AVIA Schätzle, and SGV Holding AG (which maintains a 7% stake).

 

Inside the Retrofit: Engineering a Marine Hydrogen Conversion

 

The engineering feat was spearheaded by Shiptec AG, a sister company of SGV AG, which initiated conversion work at its Lucerne shipyard in October 2025.

 

The retrofit process required a complete architectural reimagining of the 2012-built vessel:

• The Propulsion Shift: Traditional diesel generators have been entirely stripped out and replaced with an advanced proton-exchange membrane fuel cell system and onboard hydrogen storage tanks.
• How It Operates: During voyages, the onboard fuel cell converts green hydrogen into electrical energy on demand. This power continuously charges the vessel’s battery banks while simultaneously driving the electric propulsion motors.
• Performance & Comfort: The configuration yields zero CO2 emissions at the point of use and allows the 300-passenger vessel to glide across Lake Lucerne with near-silent, vibration-free acoustic performance.

 

Regulatory and Infrastructure Milestones

 

While the physical conversion of the hull and machinery is largely complete, the project is navigating final regulatory and infrastructural phases. Intensive test-running, captain and crew instruction drives, and the final permitting process via the Federal Office of Transport (FOT) are currently underway. The FOT has financially backed the initiative under the framework of the ESÖV2050 program, providing critical support for the special safety authorizations required for maritime hydrogen propulsion.

 

While a permanent local hydrogen fueling station is still under construction on the shipyard grounds, temporary refueling solutions have been engineered to ensure seamless operations during the upcoming trial phase.

 

Environmental Impact and Fleet Sustainability

 

For the inland shipping sector, green hydrogen (H2) offers a vital technological bridge. While smaller vessels can increasingly rely on pure battery-electric propulsion, larger commercial ships operating on demanding scheduled routes require energy-dense solutions that batteries alone cannot efficiently satisfy. Green hydrogen, produced exclusively via renewable electricity, unlocks zero-emission capabilities for heavy-duty marine applications.

 

For SGV AG, the numbers speak for themselves:

• Fuel Savings: Replacing the legacy diesel generators with the hydrogen fuel cell and storage system eliminates the consumption of 50,000 liters of fossil fuel annually.
• Vessel Specs: Built in 2012 with a certified capacity of 300 passengers, the Saphir will return to its signature route, the 1-hour Lucerne–Kastanienbaum round trip, complete with immersive audio-guide experiences for international tourists and locals alike.

 

As the Saphir prepares to cast off in March 2027, it serves as a global benchmark for alpine and inland lake decarbonization, proving that even historic maritime routes can successfully navigate toward a sustainable, zero-emission horizon.

 

About Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (SGV) AG

 

Founded in 1836, Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (SGV) AG is the leading shipping company in Switzerland, transporting approximately 3.5 million passengers annually. Alongside Shiptec AG, it operates under the umbrella of SGV Holding AG. In addition to public scheduled services, the company offers unique year-round experiences on Lake Lucerne, ranging from scenic cruises connecting to popular excursion destinations and gourmet culinary themed events, to ship rentals for exclusive private occasions. With its fleet of five nostalgic paddle steamers and 14 motor vessels, SGV provides the ideal vessel for every journey and requirement.

 

About Axpo

 

Axpo is dedicated to enabling a sustainable future through innovative energy solutions. As Switzerland’s largest electricity producer and an international pioneer in energy trading and the marketing of solar and wind energy, Axpo employs more than 7,500 professionals who combine industry expertise with a passion for innovation. The company leverages advanced technologies to meet the evolving needs of customers across more than 30 countries in Europe, North America, and Asia.

 

Source：SGV