Port of Antwerp has ordered construction of a tug powered by hydrogen, the first in the world. This ‘Hydrotug’ is driven by combustion engines that burn hydrogen in combination with diesel. The motors also comply with the very strictest standard, the EU Stage V.
The combination of this dual-fuel technology with a particle filter and catalyser designed to meet the very highest standards will ensure that the Hydrotug is ultra-low-emission.
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Construction is planned to start shortly and the Hydrotug is expected to be operational within two years. This innovation is part of an integral greening program of the own fleet, where systematic efforts are made to equip the most environmentally friendly technologies available.
Port of Antwerp, CEO, Jacques Vandermeiren, commented on the occasion:
With this world first we aim to further prepare the way for alternative fuels such as hydrogen, in order to realise the transition to alternative, renewable sources of energy. At Port of Antwerp we are setting a good example with this significant step towards making our own tugs eco-friendly
This ultra-low-emission tug is being built by Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB), which has also built a passenger ferry with limited capacity and power that also uses dual-fuel technology.
The Hydrotug for its part is the first vessel with output in the 4000 kW class to be powered by hydrogen-diesel dual fuel.
Port alderman, Annick De Ridder, added:
Hydrogen is one of the keys to an economy and society with minimum impact on the environment. As such it is one of the fuels of the future. With Port of Antwerp we aim to develop its potential to the full, committing ourselves as active pioneers in the hydrogen economy on a European scale. The ecosystem represented by the Antwerp port platform is an ideal testbed for this technology on a large scale
