The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is preparing to receive the Hydrotug, the first hydrogen-powered tugboat soon
Companies and industries around the world are working to reduce or even zero carbon emissions in the medium to long term. Bold goals will only be achieved with investment in new technologies and environmentally friendly equipment. Thinking of taking an important step in this direction, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, in Belgium, and the clean technology company CMB.TECH, are preparing to receive the Hydrotug, the world's first hydrogen-powered tugboat.
The hydrogen-powered tug was presented last May 16 in Spain. The tug still needs final details to be launched for testing later this year. The innovative vessel should be delivered at the end of 2022. It is expected to be in full operation in the first quarter of 2023.
The Hydrotug is the first ship to be powered by two dual-fuel medium speed BeHydro V12 engines – each delivering 2 megawatts. It can also run on hydrogen and fuel Traditional.
How does the equipment work?
The tug can store a total of 415kg of compressed hydrogen. The technology has the capacity to eliminate the carbon footprint of up to 350 cars a year. Roy Campe, director of CMB.TECH, pointed out that the novelty can considerably improve the air quality in the ports around the world.
“The Hydrotug is the largest hydrogen-powered ship in the world. The technology has been approved by Lloyd's Register and we are ready to address the global market of 10.000 tugs. With this technology, we can significantly improve air quality in ports and bring hydrogen technology to all ports in the world,” said Campe.
Port of Antwerp-Bruges Operations Manager – Rob Smeets, spoke about the green ambitions of the port of Antwerp-Bruges for the coming years. “By 2028, our goal is to have the first green hydrogen molecules on our platforms. In addition, we are investigating a hydrogen pipeline between the two ports and towards the European hinterland so that we can use as much renewable energy as possible. This hydro tug is a fantastic example of what our sustainable future should look like,” he said.
Ports seek to be friendlier to the environment
More and more ports are taking steps to support the decarbonization of maritime transport. In addition to initiatives aimed at forming transport green corridors, individual ports are introducing green incentives for ships that meet emission standards or employ alternative green fuels to reduce carbon emissions.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore announced on May 1st that it was introducing improvements to its Green Port Program to encourage sustainability among ocean-going ships calling at the Port of Singapore.
