World’s first hydrogen-powered inland shipping barge “Antonie” receives LR approval

Concordia Damen on Thursday (16 November) said the world’s first new-build hydrogen-powered inland shipping barge Antonie successfully underwent sea trials on 23 October.

During the trials, the ship was inspected by Lloyd’s Register and received a provisional certificate to be put into service.

With the hydrogen containers expected to arrive by the end of this year and not installed on board yet, the firm said full attention could be given to testing the advanced diesel-electric propulsion system.

Bart van Driel, Project Manager at Concordia Damen, said: “The fuel cell will soon serve as an energy supplier for the battery packs after the installation of the distribution panel and the placement of the hydrogen containers. The fuel cell itself, which converts hydrogen into electricity, has already been installed on board.”

“Once the distribution panel is delivered, it is just a matter of sizing and manufacturing the final pieces of piping and adjusting the fuel cell installation itself. The diesel generator will then no longer be used, so the Antonie will sail completely emission-free.”

Pieter Baggerman, Naval Architect at Concordia Damen and closely involved in the ship design, said: “We look forward to the Antonie being able to sail her first fully emission-free miles before the end of the year.”

Photo credit: Concordia Damen
Published: 17 November, 2023