New zero-emission hydrogen-powered vessel to ship goods on Rhine

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🗞️ Driving the news: The launch of H2 Barge 2, a hydrogen-powered vessel by Dutch shipowner Future Proof Shipping (FPS), along with the EU-funded Flagships project and the Interreg-funded ZEM Ports NS project, marks a significant step towards emission-free shipping on the Rhine between Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Duisburg, Germany
• This vessel, initially named Fenny 1 and FPS Waal, has been retrofitted from a conventional containership to operate with a completely new 100% emission-free propulsion system

🔭 The context: Throughout 2023, the vessel underwent a transformation at Holland Shipyards Group, removing all combustion engines and fossil fuel tanks to install PEM fuel cells, hydrogen storage, battery packs, and an electric drive train, achieving a total power of 1.2 MW
• The H2 Barge 2 is pivotal in the Flagships and ZEM Ports NS projects, aimed at demonstrating the viability of hydrogen power in inland shipping

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The vessel is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 3,000 tons annually while operating on the Rhine, showcasing a scalable and impactful solution for decarbonizing the freight transport sector and contributing significantly to the green maritime transition

⏭️ What's next: This initiative not only sets a new standard for inland shipping but also paves the way for further adoption of hydrogen-powered vessels across Europe and beyond, with plans to expand the fleet and continue innovating in green shipping technologies

💬 One quote: "Successfully launching our second hydrogen-powered inland cargo vessel is just as important an achievement as the first, not just for Future Proof Shipping, ZEM Ports NS, and the Flagships project, but for the future of green shipping," said Richard Klatten, CEO of Future Proof Shipping

📈 One stat: The H2 Barge 2 will reduce 3,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually

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