Port of Antwerp has ordered the construction of the first in the world tug powered by hydrogen.

In a statement, it said the "Hydrotug" is driven by combustion engines that burn hydrogen in combination with diesel. The motors will also comply with the very strictest standard, the EU Stage V, making them the lowest-rated for emissions on the market.

The ultra-low-emission tug is being built by Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB), a pioneer in the field of hydrogen power for shipping.

Construction is due to begin shortly and the Hydrotug is expected to be operational within two years, as part of an integral greening program of its fleet.

"With this world-first Antwerp is making an important step in the transition to a sustainable, CO2-neutral port. By lending support to this promising technology Port of Antwerp hopes that the shipping industry will follow," it said.

The port is systematically pursuing a policy of making its entire fleet eco-friendly by incorporating the most environment-friendly technologies available on the market, it added.

Ultra-low emissions

The combination of this dual-fuel technology with a state-of-the-art particle filter and catalyzer designed to meet the very highest standards will ensure that the Hydrotug is ultra-low-emission.

Combustion of hydrogen, it said, does not emit any CO2, and the particle filter combined with the catalyzer will result in minimal emissions of NOx and particulates.

“As an industrial seaport, Antwerp's role in the energy transition should not be underestimated. We are working towards becoming a CO2-neutral port ... With this world first, we aim to further prepare the way for alternative fuels such as hydrogen, in order to realize the transition to alternative, renewable sources of energy," 
Port of Antwerp CEO Jacques Vandermeiren said.

Hydrogen, the fuel of the future
 
The Hydrotug is the first vessel with output in the 4000 kW class to be powered by hydrogen-diesel dual fuel.

"We are convinced of the potential of hydrogen as the key to sustainable shipping and making the energy transition of a reality," says Alexander Saverys, CEO of Compagnie Maritime Belge. "The expertise that we acquire with the Hydrotug will enable us to further develop the use of hydrogen as a ship's fuel."

Port alderman Annick De Ridder added: "Hydrogen is one of the keys to an economy and society with minimum impact on the environment. As such it is one of the fuels of the future. With Port of Antwerp, we aim to develop its potential to the full, committing ourselves as active pioneers in the hydrogen economy on a European scale.

The ecosystem represented by the Antwerp port platform, De Ridder noted, is an ideal testbed for this technology on a large scale to set an example for other ports."