The Neo Orbis, Port of Amsterdam’s hydrogen vessel, is being built by Next Generation Shipyards from Lauwersoog. This shipyard was awarded the contract after a European tender process.
By continuously looking for sustainable applications and techniques, Next Generation Shipyards works to stimulate zero-emission shipping. This ties in with Port of Amsterdam’s Clean Shipping vision, with which the port is working towards emission-free shipping in the port of Amsterdam by 2050.
The Neo Orbis is the pilot vessel being built for the European H2Ships programme. It is the first ship in the world to sail electrically, propelled with hydrogen in solid form as an energy carrier: sodium borohydride.
The major advantage of this hydrogen carrier is its high energy density and that it can be bunkered safely in many places. The ship thus serves as a scale-up for inland shipping, shortsea, dredging, offshore and possibly also patrol vessels and naval vessels.
The Neo Orbis will serve as the flagship for Port of Amsterdam. Trial sailing is expected to start in June 2023.
