The container ship H2 Barge 2 originally had a conventional propulsion system for this type of vessel. Dutch shipowner Future Proof Shipping (FPS) then installed a 1.2MW electric propulsion system. Power comes from six PEM fuel cells and several battery packs placed below deck. In addition, there is hydrogen storage on board.
Once converted to electric propulsion, the H2 Barge 2 is expected to reduce CO 2 emissions by 3,000 tonnes per year. At the same time, the number of shipping containers transported up and down the Rhine will remain unchanged.
"The H2 Barge 2 will bring knowledge on how to retrofit vessels from diesel combustion to zero-emission alternatives, by using batteries in combination with green hydrogen in a fuel cell. I am proud to see that our funding contributes to the decarbonization of freight transport in the European Union." said Mirela Athanasiou, Interim Executive Director of the EU Clean Hydrogen Partnership.
The project's second demonstration vessel, Zulu 06, will be launched in Paris later in 2024.
Source: AJOT
