Port of Antwerp-Bruges and CMB.TECH have announced that Hydrotug 1, the first hydrogen-powered tugboat, is ready for operation in the Antwerp port area.
According to CMB.TECH, the Hydrotug 1 is the first tugboat in the world to be powered by combustion engines that burn hydrogen in combination with traditional fuel. Furthermore, as mentioned, t is the first vessel that uses the BeHydro V12 dual fuel medium speed engines – each providing 2 megawatts – with the latest EU Stage V emissions aftertreatment.
The Hydrotug 1 is the world’s largest hydrogen-powered vessel and it is “made in Europe”! We are delighted and grateful to have the Port of Antwerp-Bruges as our partner.
… said Alexander Saverys, CEO, CMB.TECH
The ecosystem represented by the port platform is an ideal testbed for this technology on a large scale. In this way we seek to be a source of inspiration and to set an example for other ports.
… added Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO, Port of Antwerp-Bruges
With these engines, the vessel uses clean fuels, resulting in an overall reduction of 65% of traditional fuel consumption and associated emissions in the tugboat’s overall cycle, CMB.TECH notes. The Hydrotug 1 can store 415kg of compressed hydrogen in 6 stillages installed on deck and eliminates the emission’s equivalent of 350 cars per year
The Hydrotug 1 is a significant step towards achieving this goal, as it is capable of running on both hydrogen and traditional fuel, demonstrating the potential for a transition to clean energy in the shipping industry.
… concluded Annick De Ridder – Vice Mayor for the port, urban development, spatial planning and patrimony of the City of Antwerp, President of the Board of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges
