Hydrogen powered tugboat

CMB.TECH’s Hydrotug has undergone its first water launch at Armón Shipyards in Navia Spain moving the vessel closer to sea trials.

The Hydrotug, ultimately bound for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, will be used as an important step in the transition to a sustainable, climate neutral port by 2050 and will be operational in the first quarter of 2023.

“Recently Port of Antwerp merged with the Port of Zeebrugge into one big organisation that aims to reconcile people, climate and economy. Our common goal is to become carbon neutral by 2050, by walking many different sustainability paths, such as carbon capture and storage and efforts in hydrogen,” said Rob Smeets, manager operations, Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

”By 2028 our goal is to have the first green hydrogen molecules on our platforms. Moreover, we are investigating a hydrogen pipeline between the two ports and towards the European hinterland so we can use as much renewable energy as possible. This hydrotug is a fantastic example of what our sustainable future should look like.”

Greening programme

The Hydrotug is part of an integral greening programme for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges fleet.

It’s the first vessel to be powered by two BeHydro V12 dual fuel medium speed engines which can run on hydrogen and traditional fuel. Each engine provides two megawatts with the latest EU Stage V emissions after treatment.

The engines passed the necessary Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) that validate the correct operation of the equipment required by Lloyd’s Register.

Hydrotug itself can store 415kg of compressed hydrogen in six stillages installed on deck and eliminates the emission’s equivalent of 350 cars.

In the next few months, the remaining construction works on the ship will be completed (outfitting) so sea trials can follow later this year.

The goal is to deliver the Hydrotug by the end of this year and to have it fully operational in the first quarter of 2023 in Antwerp.