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Green Hydrogen-Powered Boat Is About to Come to Life: Companies from Various Countries Announce Billion-Dollar Investment for the Production of a Hydrogen Boat That Will Change the Maritime Transport Sector
Brazilian, Asian, and European companies are united in what they call a “planet project,” which will involve an investment of R$ 150 million to develop and build a green hydrogen-powered boat. In addition to revolutionizing the global maritime transport sector, the aim of the hydrogen boat is to significantly reduce the emission of polluting gases.
Learn About the Companies Behind the Green Hydrogen-Powered Boat
The proposal for maritime transport will be presented at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in the city of Belém–PA in November. Before that, in August, the hydrogen boat will be launched in the waters of Fortaleza–CE and will head to Pará.
Leading the investment are Itaipu Parquetec and JAQ Apoio Marítimo, a business unit of the Náutica Group. Also involved in this venture are GWM, a Chinese company that has hydrogen buses and trucks, and MAN, a German Volkswagen engine company. Recently, AkzoNobel, a company from the Netherlands, has also expressed interest in the plan.
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In the United States, last week, Ernani Paciornik, president of the JAC Council and CEO of the Náutica Group, visited the Miami Boat Show to learn about technologies, especially those related to hybrid boats in maritime transport. However, what he currently has in mind and in production goes beyond this.
According to Paciornik, a significant change in this mode of transport has begun. The goal is to find solutions to stay ahead while collaborating with the planet. The green hydrogen-powered boat will be used in the shipping industry for cargo transport around the world.
Understand the Viability of the Investment
The nautical industry is following suit. The entrepreneur highlights that in the state of Santa Catarina, the maritime economy is very solid. There is an entire industry that could benefit if the investment in a hydrogen-powered boat yields positive results, and expectations are high as they are working hard for this.
Paciornik, emphasizing the qualities of the companies involved, explained that Itaipu has expertise in hydrogen in Brazil and is responsible for the technical aspects of the project. GWM is providing the fuel cells, while MAN supplied two hybrid engines that operate on both hydrogen and diesel.
With only 20% hydrogen in the fuel mixture, pollutant emissions drop by 80%. With hydrogen, the gain is 100%. The goal is to develop the hydrogen boat and demonstrate its viability. In addition to revolutionizing maritime transport, another objective is to position the model to care for Brazilian biomes, for example, allowing universities and institutes to conduct research without causing pollution.
Operation of the Vessel
The investment aims to produce hydrogen within the boat itself. To this end, the Explorer H1 and H2 vessels, measuring 36 meters and 50 meters in length respectively, will be adapted. Both will be equipped with electrolyzers, devices capable of splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, generating the product for the fuel cell to produce electricity for the boat.
The innovation of the hydrogen boat for maritime transport has also caught the attention of AkzoNobel, which has offered eco-friendly paints.
Following the news from the Miami Boat Show, expectations are now high for events in the national territory, particularly for Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, São Paulo, Salvador, and Foz do Iguaçu. However, the main anticipation is for the visit to the Itajaí Boat Show. According to Paciornik, this is due to the local marina.
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