Decarbonisation

Consortium validates grid-independent hydrogen power hub for ports

Consortium demonstrated that large vessels can already be powered at berth using existing hydrogen, battery, fuel cell and electrical technologies integrated into a modular floating system.

Published

2 months ago

May 26, 2026

Admin

Consortium validates grid-independent hydrogen power hub for ports

ELIRE Maritime and consortium partners on Monday (25 May) announced the successful completion of the UKRI-funded Clean Maritime Demonstrator Competition Round 6 (CMDC6) programme.

CMDC6 is a GBP 1 million (USD 1.3 million) feasibility programme and initiative delivered by Innovate UK in partnership with the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE), part of the UK Department for Transport.

The partners are Ricardo UK, Schneider Electric, Rux Energy UK, Triton Anchor Europe, OREC (Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult), and the University of Strathclyde.

The programme successfully validated one of the world’s first fully grid-independent Hydrogen Floating Power Hub systems capable of delivering clean power directly to vessels at berth without requiring traditional shore-side grid infrastructure.

The consortium demonstrated that large vessels can realistically be powered at berth today using existing hydrogen, battery, fuel cell, and electrical technologies integrated into a modular floating maritime system designed for rapid deployment across global ports.

The solution can now be deployed and would be expected to support the reduction of up to 500,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions globally over the next decade through a scalable maritime clean energy infrastructure capable of operating independently from constrained port grids.

“Ports are under increasing pressure to decarbonise while facing major infrastructure constraints,” said Luke Jenkinson, Founder and CEO of ELIRE Maritime.

“The Hydrogen Power Hub proves that ports do not need to wait years for grid upgrades to begin reducing emissions. We have validated a practical, scalable, and deployable system capable of delivering clean power directly where it is needed most.”

The Hydrogen Power Hub establishes a new category of maritime infrastructure by moving energy and power generation as well as storage onto water rather than relying on fixed, land-based systems constrained by grid access, cost, permitting, and land availability.

At full configuration, this particular validated system is capable of delivering 5MW of continuous clean power output directly to vessels at berth, enough to support medium-sized cruise vessels and other large maritime assets requiring both 6.6kV and 11kV shore power connections. This system integrates three modular hexagonal floating platforms with a combined 1,200 sqm footprint, approximately 45MWh of battery energy storage capacity, modular fuel cell systems, hydrogen-powered generation, onboard renewable generation, and advanced grid-forming AC/DC electrical architecture.

The consortium confirmed the platform can deliver approximately 91MWh of energy per week while supporting repeated vessel charging operations without requiring major civil works, land reclamation, or expensive grid reinforcement.

The system uses approximately 7,500 to 8,000kg of hydrogen weekly, stored within modular ISO-compatible low-pressure storage containers integrated directly into the floating infrastructure. The current layout accommodates seven onboard hydrogen tanks, with refuelling operations expected approximately twice weekly, enabling ports to adopt hydrogen incrementally without requiring permanent hydrogen infrastructure during early deployment phases.

Instead of relying on oversized generators, the platform uses modular 1.3MW fuel cells operating continuously throughout the week to gradually charge the onboard batteries before rapidly dispatching energy when vessels arrive at berth.

Photo credit: ELIRE Maritime
Published: 26 May, 2026

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Methanol

Venture Energy facilitates largest single green methanol bunkering op in Hong Kong

The Wah Kwong subsidiary recently facilitated the supply of 1,000 mt of green methanol by the bunkering barge “Da Qing 268” to RoRo vessel “CM Shenzhen”, belonging to CM RoRo, with Sinopec HK.

Published

21 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Admin

Venture Energy facilitates largest single green methanol bunkering op in Hong Kong

Hong Kong shipowner Wah Kwong Maritime Transport’s subsidiary, Venture Energy Limited (Venture Energy), on Friday (10 July) said it recently facilitated the largest single green methanol bunkering operation conducted in Hong Kong to date.

Bunkering barge Da Qing 268 supplied 1,000 metric tonnes (mt) of green methanol to RoRo vessel CM Shenzhen belonging to China Merchants Guangzhou RoRo Shipping Co., Ltd. (CM RoRo), with Sinopec (Hong Kong) Limited (Sinopec HK).

The operation utilised green methanol from Shanghai Shenji Energy & Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenji Energy), a subsidiary of Shenergy Group and Venture Energy Limited (Venture Energy) arranged the delivery.

“This milestone highlights Venture Energy’s supply capabilities to bridge growing demand in the Greater Bay Area with diversified supply sources across North and East China, contributing to the development of a reliable and scalable green marine fuel supply chain for the region,” the company said.

Through close collaboration with Sinopec HK and other industry partners, Venture Energy helped ensure the safe and efficient delivery of green methanol to Hong Kong’s bunkering market.

The successful operation further strengthens Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre and an emerging green fuel bunkering hub. It also demonstrates the Greater Bay Area’s potential to establish a competitive, integrated and sustainable marine fuel ecosystem covering production, logistics, storage, bunkering and end-use applications.

Venture Energy will continue to collaborate with strategic partners across the green fuel value chain to support future bunkering operations and contribute to the development of low-carbon maritime Solutions.

Photo credit: Venture Energy
Published: 13 July, 2026

Alternative Fuels

CMA CGM boxship completes first bio-LNG bunkering operation in Rotterdam

“CMA CGM NOTRE DAME” took on 11,125 cubic metres of bio-LNG in Rotterdam in a 12-hour operation.

Published

21 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Admin

CMA CGM completes first bio-LNG bunkering operation in Rotterdam

French shipping giant CMA CGM on Friday (10 July) said one of its LNG-powered containerships completed its first bio-LNG bunkering operation in Rotterdam.

CMA CGM NOTRE DAME took on 11,125 cubic metres (m3) of bio-LNG – a renewable fuel that delivers a 67% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over its full life cycle – produced in Europe from biomethane derived from agricultural and organic waste.

The operation was completed in 12 hours.

“At CMA CGM, we have been powering our vessels with LNG for several years, and our LNG-powered containerships are already compatible with bio-LNG,” it said.

Photo credit: CMA CGM
Published: 13 July, 2026

Alternative Fuels

Samskip container vessel become new demonstrator for HyShip project

HyShip project is entering a new phase as Samskip’s SeaShuttle container vessel becomes the project’s new demonstrator on the Oslo–Rotterdam route.

Published

21 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Admin

Samskip container vessel become new demonstrator for HyShip project

Maritime CleanTech recently said the HyShip project is entering a new phase as Samskip’s SeaShuttle container vessel becomes the project’s new demonstrator on the Oslo–Rotterdam route.

The move gives HyShip a real-world application on a keyfreight route between Oslo and Rotterdam, linking liquid hydrogen innovation to vessels already under construction for commercial operation.

By integrating onboard hydrogen storage systems with quayside bunkering systems, the project tackles one of the key challenges in scaling hydrogen-powered shipping: connecting fuel supply and port infrastructure with vessel operations.

“This brings zero-emission freight transport one step closer to commercial deployment,” it said.

The company said connecting the ports of Oslo and Rotterdam, both part of the TEN-T network, is more than a project milestone.

“It demonstrates how Europe can turn policy into practice by linking zero-emission vessels, hydrogen supply and bunkering infrastructure along one of the continent’s key freight corridors,” it said.

It is exactly the kind of cross-border collaboration needed to accelerate the deployment of clean shipping, in line with the European Commission’s ambitions for the Trans-European Transport Network and the recently launched EU Ports Strategy.

As the project coordinator, Maritime CleanTech said it is proud to work with leading European partners to reduce risk, validate solutions and build the confidence needed to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen-powered shipping across Europe.

“We’re also pleased to welcome LH2 Shipping to the consortium. Their expertise in liquid hydrogen systems and bunkering solutions will further strengthen the project and help establish the infrastructure needed for future green shipping corridors,” it said.

With support from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, HyShip is helping connect Europe through zero-emission shipping.

The consortium also includes Maritime CleanTech, LMG Marin France, sus.lab at ETH Zurich, DNV SE, PERSEE, NCSR Demokritos, University of Strathclyde, Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding, DianaShipping Services S.A., and NAV-Tech.

Together, the partners bring expertise from across the hydrogen, maritime, research, and regulatory value chain to accelerate the development of practical, scalable solutions for liquid hydrogen shipping.

“The market needs projects that reduce uncertainty, align partners, and make future investment decisions easier. This collaboration is strategically important because it helps build confidence in liquid hydrogen as a viable fuel for shipping,” said Tore Boge, Head of EU Projects at Maritime CleanTech.

HyShip is a European innovation project supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, aimed at accelerating the use of liquid hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel for shipping.

Photo credit: Samskip
Published: 13 July, 2026