FPS to launch world’s first green hydrogen-powered inland boxship in Rotterdam
- Published
by Admin
Dutch maritime firm Future Proof Shipping (FPS) will be launching the world’s first green hydrogen-powered inland container ship in Rotterdam this week, the firm said on Monday (22 May).
The vessel, FPS Maas, will run on a combination of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells with green hydrogen and batteries.
FPS Maas is a 110 x 11,45 m inland container vessel, typical of the vessels that sail on the Rhine.
Having completed months of energy profiling, the retrofitting process of the container vessel began at the Holland Shipyards Group’s yard in Hardinxveld in August last year and is expected to be sailing 100% on hydrogen power.
The ship’s combustion engine and gearbox were replaced by hydrogen tanks, the fuel cells and battery system during the retrofitting process.
The fuel cell system will be triple redundant with 825 kW capacity (to supply propulsion and auxiliary power) and a 504 kWh lithium-ion battery pack for peak shaving, secondary and bridging power. The system will contain a 750V DC bus bar and an e-motor for propulsion.
Once back in service, FPS Maas will carry on shipping container cargo between Rotterdam and Antwerp and is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2000 CO2e tonnes annually.
FPS said on its website that the launch location and time will be announced soon.
Photo credit: Future Proof Shipping
Published: 23 May, 2023
