First hydrogen inland vessel

Concordia Damen signed the contract with Lenten Scheepvaart on 18 March. MV Antonie, will be 135 metres long, weigh 3,700t and boast a revolutionary fuel cell propulsion. She will be used to transport salt between Delfzijl in the north of the Netherlands to Botlek in the Port of Rotterdam for global chemical supplier Nouryon.

Chris Kornet, CEO of Concordia Damen, said: “At Concordia Damen we have always been at the forefront of bringing increased sustainability to our industry. Greening the inland shipping sector is something which we feel passionate about and we will continue to work towards this goal. I believe there will not be one single way to reduce emissions in our sector, but a number of approaches. Hydrogen is likely to play an important role in the achievement of zero emissions in inland shipping. Lenten Scheepvaart are to be commended for taking this leading role.”

Hefty subsidy

Lenten Scheepvaart has received a subsidy for the construction of the vessel to the value of €4m. The subsidy, from the Netherlands Governmental department of Infrastructure and Water Management, aims to stimulate the development of the use of hydrogen as a fuel on the path towards zero emissions inland shipping.

The vessel and its operation will benefit from the subsidised hydrogen bunker station in Delfzijl.