VESSELS
PIONEERING HYDROGEN MARINE POWER A pioneer in the field of hydrogen power for shipping is equipping a major European port with both vessels and infrastructure so it can embrace the eco-friendly fuel, writes Anne-Marie Causer
GROUND-BREAKING Since its launch, Mr Campe says that Hydroville has proved that the technology is mature and ready to scale up to achieve more hydrogen storage, higher pressures, more power and cater for bigger ships. Besides the construction of the vessel and integration of the H2 technology, knowledge has also been gained about the operation, bunkering and maintenance of the vessel, setting a benchmark for the other hydrogen powered vessels which are now in the pipeline.
The technology is mature and ready to scale up to achieve more hydrogen storage, higher pressures, more power and cater for bigger ships’
Photo: CMB
Although the effect on the current emissions at the port from Hydroville is almost negligible, the rebound effects from the pilot will be significant, both to new vessels being built and the equipment on the land side. With regards to infrastructure port side, Mr Campe says that the company is working on new projects which will have a much larger effect on the local emissions of the port.
8 The hydrogen refuelling station is expected to be completed in June 21
24 | SPRING 2021
Photo: CMB.TECH
Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB), is behind the pioneering hydrogen powered Hydroville ferry shuttle and forthcoming Hydrotug at the Port of Antwerp. In 2017, the Antwerp-based shipping group's Hydroville shuttle, the first passenger vessel to be powered by hydrogen, was launched as a pilot project to serve as a testbed for hydrogen technology on a wider scale. The vessel currently serves as a sustainable commuter transport within the port area. “Hydroville was the first class approved passenger ferry which is powered with two dual fuel hydrogen-diesel drive trains. The vessel acts as a kind of icebreaker for the use of hydrogen in the marine industry, says Roy Campe, managing director of CMB.TECH.
“Making the energy transition is not like flipping a light switch, it needs pilot projects to demonstrate the technology before the upscaling can be done,” says Mr Campe. For now, the test phase of Hydroville involves regular checks on the lub oil of the engines to monitor the long-term effect of the hydrogen combustion. Also, the hydrogen storage with all its pipes and valves needs a full check up every three months. So far, all results are very promising with the green light to further roll out the use of this promising technology, Mr Campe says. With regards to refuelling, CMB.TECH is currently constructing a public and maritime hydrogen refuelling station expected to be completed in June 21 (as this article goes to press). Until then, a tube trailer is being used to bunker the vessel. The full operation of connecting the trailer to CMB.TECH's H2 bunkering manifold at the quayside and the refill of the vessel takes about half an hour. With the new refuelling station, refuelling time should be halved as the delivery pressure is much higher.
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HYDROTUG CMB.TECH is currently developing and building a hydrogen powered tugboat for the Port of Antwerp. The Hydrotug is the first vessel with output in the 4000 kW class to be powered by hydrogen-diesel dual fuel. It's driven by combustion engines that burn hydrogen in combination with diesel. The motors also comply with the very strictest standard, the EU Stage V, making them the lowest rated for emissions on the market. BeHydro medium speed engines will be used to power the vessel along with two 2MW medium speed engines which are able to run up to 85% of hydrogen in combination with Stage V after treatment. The tug is scheduled to be completed sometime towards the
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