Dutch shipbuilder Concordia Damen has signed a contract with compatriot Lenten Scheepvaart to build a hydrogen-powered inland waterway vessel.
Concordia Damen claims this would be the first-ever inland waterway vessel to run on hydrogen.
The 135 metres long MV Antonie will weigh 3,700 tons as well as feature a fuel cell propulsion.
Moreover, the vessel would transport salt between Delfzijl in the north of the Netherlands to Botlek in the Port of Rotterdam for chemical supplier Nouryon, Concordia Damen said in a statement.
Lenten Scheepvaart has received a subsidy from the Dutch government of 4 million euros ($4.88 million) for the construction of the vessel.
The subsidy aims to stimulate the development of hydrogen as a fuel on the path towards zero emissions in inland shipping, according to the shipbuilder.
In addition, the project would benefit from a subsidized hydrogen bunkering station in Delfzijl, Concordia Damen said.
Worth mentioning here, Institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management have last year ordered 40 LNG-powered inland waterway barges at Concordia Damen. All of the barges will go on charter to Shell while VT Group/Marlow will operate them.
