Lenten Scheepvaart of the Netherlands marks a historic milestone as the pioneering owner of the world’s first newbuild hydrogen-powered inland shipping barge.
Birth of Antonie
The Hydrogen Electric Cargo Ship ‘Antonie’ (WEVA), crafted by Concordia Damen, signals a significant leap toward zero-emission transport along Dutch inland waterways.
Following successful technical sea trials on October 23, where Lloyd’s Register inspected and granted a provisional certificate for service, Bart van Driel, project manager at Concordia Damen, highlighted the focus on testing the advanced diesel-electric propulsion system in anticipation of the imminent arrival of hydrogen containers by year-end.
Royal Visit
- His Majesty the King’s visit to the Antonie in Duisburg on November 14 marked a significant milestone in advancing Germany’s hydrogen initiatives.
- Engaging with key players and exploring the RH2INE network, the royal visit amplifies the Antonie’s pioneering stance in hydrogen-powered inland shipping, emphasizing its global impact on sustainable transport solutions.
Countdown to Voyage
Van Driel: “The fuel cell will soon serve as an energy supplier for the battery packs after the installation of the distribution panel and the placement of the hydrogen containers. The fuel cell itself, which converts hydrogen into electricity, has already been installed on board. Once the distribution panel is delivered, it is just a matter of sizing and manufacturing the final pieces of piping and adjusting the fuel cell installation itself. The diesel generator will then no longer be used, so the Antonie will sail completely emission-free.“
Pieter Baggerman, Naval Architect at Concordia Damen and closely involved in the innovative ship design: “We look forward to the Antonie being able to sail her first fully emission-free miles before the end of the year.”
Circular Chain Innovation
The Antonie’s role in transporting salt for Nobian completes a sustainable cycle: Lenten Scheepvaart’s history of ferrying salt from Delfzijl to the Botlek, where Nobian converts it into chlor-alkali using hydrogen, will power the Antonie.
With three hydrogen containers, the ship aims for emission-free transport between Delfzijl and Rotterdam.
Driving Change
Concordia Damen’s commitment to sustainable inland vessels, proven by multiple awards, drives the WEVA project, a collaborative effort aided by a Dutch Ministry grant, involving Concordia Damen Shipbuilding, CCM3, Nedstack Fuel Cell Technology, Nobian, Energy TransStore, NRPC, and Lenten Scheepvaart.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Concordia Damen
