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Haropa Port, Verso Energy ink deal to produce low-carbon hydrogen and synthetic fuels

Project will be able to contribute to the decarbonisation of the industrial sector in the port area, as well as the air and sea transport sectors, where demand for sustainable fuels is growing significantly.

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Haropa Port, Verso Energy ink deal to produce low-carbon hydrogen and synthetic fuels

Haropa Port on Thursday (23 November) said it signed an agreement with Verso Energy, a specialist in renewable energies to set up an industrial unit to produce low-carbon hydrogen and synthetic fuels in the HAROPA PORT port area in Grand-Quevilly.

The project involves the production of hydrogen by electrolysis of water at a capacity of up to 350 MW, representing a volume of more than 50,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year. The investment is around EUR 500 million (USD 547 million). It will be accompanied by a unit producing synthetic fuels from captured and recycled CO2, which will create some 150 direct jobs and 250 indirect jobs.  

“In this way, the project will be able to contribute to the decarbonisation of the industrial sector in the port area, as well as the air and sea transport sectors, where demand for sustainable fuels is growing significantly,” Haropa Port said in a statement. 

“This new production unit is strategic for HAROPA PORT and for the port of Rouen: ports are facing major decarbonisation challenges for which decarbonised hydrogen is becoming an essential lever.”

The site will be located on land belonging to HAROPA PORT in Grand-Quevilly, on the outskirts of Petit-Couronne. This development project will help to secure and strengthen the local industrial ecosystem. Commissioning is scheduled for 2029.

“We are proud to welcome VERSO ENERGY’s future carbon-free hydrogen production unit to the Rouen port area. This major project confirms that the Seine axis is the valley of new fuels and new forms of mobility,” said Stéphane Raison, Managing Director of Haropa Port.

Project schedule

  • Preparation of the environmental permit file: 1 year from the end of 2023, 
  • Engineering studies : ongoing until the end of 2024, 
  • Provisional date for obtaining administrative authorisations : 3rd quarter 2026,
  • First construction : 3rd quarter 2026, and no more than 12 months after obtaining administrative authorisations,
  • Commissioning of facilities : 3rd quarter 2029.

Photo credit: Haropa Port / Jean-François Damois
Published: 28 November, 2023

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Alternative Fuels

Singapore-based Proteus Energy introduces hydrogen fuel cell system for maritime sector

Company has partnered with hydrogen fuel cell company Symbio France to develop the Proteus Maritime Fuel Cell Solution, a modular hydrogen fuel-based system for ports and vessels.

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Singapore-headquartered clean energy provider Proteus Energy on Wednesday (18 June) has developed the Proteus® Maritime Fuel Cell Solution, a modular hydrogen fuel-based system for ports and vessels. 

The first offering is the Proteus®75. Each fuel cell stack is 75 kW output, and these can be combined for larger power requirements. The vessel types being targeted are harbour craft, and vessels in the coastal, offshore support, and in-land waterway segments.

The technology has been developed in partnership with Symbio France, a world leading hydrogen fuel cell company with over 30 years track record. Symbio is jointly owned by global industrial groups Michelin, Stellantis, and Forvia.

“The maritime industry needs viable clean energy solutions today,” said Dr Lars Gruenitz, CEO of Proteus Energy. “We are providing a high energy density solution that is compact and lightweight, which is critical for vessels where space and weight considerations are imperative. This best-in-class system is the logical and most cost-effective choice to help operators make a quantum leap in their decarbonisation efforts”.

The Proteus® Maritime Fuel Cell Solution can be delivered as a modular powerpack or customised and fitted into vessels.

Proteus’ fuel cell technology also complements electric propulsion and offers a powerful solution for hybrid vessels by extending their range and easing the load on batteries, thus improving space efficiency and vessel performance.

The Proteus® Maritime Fuel Cell Solution will be backed by a two-year performance guarantee from Symbio France.

Symbio’s systems have already logged millions of kilometers powering cars, buses and commercial trucks across Europe. Now, that same rigorous, road-tested performance is being deployed at sea with added protections for marine operating conditions.

The fuel cell stacks are produced at Symbio’s gigafactory in Lyon, France, using robotic assembly systems capable of producing thousands of units annually.

This high-throughput capability ensures that Proteus can meet rising demand without sacrificing quality – something only established and proven hydrogen fuel cell manufacturers can claim.

What also sets Proteus apart is its ability to bring economies of scale, continuous R&D, and tried and tested reliability from land transport into the marine environment. 

To provide a convenient fuel storage option, Proteus also offers high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks developed with its partner Forvia, a major global components and technology company. The DNV type-approved tanks, which are already available for delivery, offer a safe and easy way to store hydrogen onboard vessels and will be produced on an industrial scale.

In addition, Proteus works with port operators to provide them with customised refueling solutions and infrastructure.

The Proteus® Maritime Fuel Cell Solution is expected to be available for delivery beginning January 2026, with type approval from DNV anticipated before the end of this year. Proteus is ready to work with customers now.

 

Photo credit: Proteus Energy
Published: 19 June, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

China’s SDARI receives AiPs for alternative-fuelled ships including ammonia bunker vessel

CSSC’s SDARI obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) certificates from classification societies ABS, RINA and LR for four vessel designs including a 50,000 cubic metre ammonia bunkering vessel.

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China’s SDARI receives AiPs for alternative-fuelled ships including ammonia bunker vessel

China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s (CSSC) Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) recently obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) certificates from several classification societies for four vessel designs. 

Among the four is a 50,000 cubic metre (m3) ammonia bunkering vessel, which received AiP certificate from American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). 

It integrates liquid ammonia transportation and bunkering functions and can meet the long-distance transportation needs of liquefied gas goods such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquid ammonia. 

The ship is equipped with three IMO Type A independent liquid cargo tanks, and uses zero-carbon ammonia fuel to drive the main engine and generator, meeting the IMO greenhouse gas emission reduction strategy and actively responding to the latest greenhouse gas intensity (GFI) requirements of the 83rd meeting of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83). 

The entire ship is equipped with two independent 1,000 m3 deck liquid ammonia storage tanks, taking into account the ammonia fuel endurance requirements under multi-cargo loading and unloading, significantly improving operational economy and flexibility. 

In response to the needs of bunkering operations, it is specially equipped with a retractable bow thruster, side thruster and adjustable propellers to meet ABS’ DPS-1 notation and adapt to the complex port environment of bunkering operations. 

China’s SDARI receives AiPs for alternative-fuelled ships including ammonia bunker vessel

Meanwhile, a dual-fuel LNG/hydrogen-powered Ultramax bulker design and a 30,000 GT Roll-On/Roll-Off Passenger (ROPAX) ship designed to sail in the Mediterranean Sea received AiP certificates from RINA. 

SDARI also received AiP from Lloyd’s Register (LR) for a 113,000 dwt ammonia dual-fuel liquid cargo ship. The optimised propulsion system, specially configured with an ammonia dual-fuel power system and a wind-assisted propulsion system, is expected to save more than 10% energy, especially at low speeds. 

 

Photo credit: Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute
Published: 12 June, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

ICCT report identifies six Brazilian ports as potential renewable marine fuel bunkering hubs

Three are public ports—Santos, Rio Grande, and Itaqui—and three are privately owned ports—Pecem, Navegantes, and Porto do Açu; Santos ranked high in four out of the five criteria assessed for readiness.

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A new report by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) on Thursday (5 June) has identified six Brazilian ports as candidate hubs for renewable marine fuel bunkering. 

The report analysed the readiness of Brazilian ports to support the production, bunkering, and deployment of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives, such as renewable ammonia and renewable methanol, laying the groundwork for establishing green shipping corridors.

Three are public ports—Santos, Rio Grande, and Itaqui—and three are privately owned ports—Pecem, Navegantes, and Porto do Açu. Santos, the largest port in Latin America, ranked high in four out of the five criteria assessed for readiness, though it had only a moderate level of commitment to decarbonisation due to a lack of ongoing or planned offshore wind projects. 

Porto do Açu and Itaqui scored high on all criteria except for access to potential offshore wind energy. Public ports generally scored higher than private ports, especially for their infrastructure, strategic location, and connectivity. On a scale of 1 to 5, the six candidates chosen for further assessment had weighted scores that ranged from 3.5 to 4.4.

Based on 2023 ship traffic, the report also identified 10 routes connecting the six candidates to both the domestic market and key international markets. Among the 10 sample routes moving key commodities, including iron ore and container cargo, between the candidate ports and ports around the world, the report estimated that five routes could be completed with direct use of renewable liquid hydrogen in a fuel cell without refuelling en route. The report found all routes could be completed without refuelling if ships use renewable hydrogen-derived ammonia and methanol in internal combustion engines. 

To successfully complete all 10 routes, with at least one ship on each route, a total energy of 1,785 tonnes of hydrogen is required if the minimum consumption of renewable fuel is considered across all routes. 

“Conversely, if we look at the maximum consumption of renewable fuel for all 10 routes, the total energy requirement is 1,911 tonnes. This translates to a demand for renewable electricity of 82 to 92 GWh,” the report said.

ICCT said the pre-feasibility assessment demonstrates the significant potential of Brazilian ports to serve as renewable marine fuel hubs, offering both economic and environmental benefits. 

“By quantifying the potential bunkering demand and analysing port readiness, this study provides a guideline for future investments and policy initiatives aimed at accelerating the decarbonisation of maritime shipping,” it added.

Note: The full report titled ‘The potential of Brazilian ports as renewable marine fuel bunkering hubs’ can be found here

 

Photo credit: Jeff Doria on Unsplash
Published: 12 June, 2025

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