Future Proof Shipping (FPS) has partnered with the Holland Shipyards Group (HSG) to retrofit the vessel to a zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system.
Both the main engine and gearbox will be removed, making room for a new modular propulsion system (electric motors, hydrogen tanks, a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system, and a battery pack).
The fuel cell system will be triple redundant with 825 kW of capacity to supply propulsion and auxiliary power, while the 504 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack will be used for peak shaving, secondary and bridging power. The system will contain a 750V DC bus bar and an e-motor for propulsion.
The hydrogen and fuel cell system will be installed in the cargo space, with the former being placed above the latter in two FEUs (approx. 1,000kg at 300 bar).
The compressed hydrogen tanks, the fuel cells, and the battery system will be separate units in order to be removed for maintenance or replacement purposes.
The 110 m-long and 11.45 m-wide inland container vessel will be retrofitted at the Holland Shipyards Group's yard in Hardinxveld throughout Q3 2021 and is expected to be sailing 100% on hydrogen by December of this year.
Once back in service between Rotterdam and Antwerp, Maas is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by some 2,000t/year of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent.
FPS aims to build a fleet of 10 zero-emissions inland and short sea vessels.
"FPS is excited to be working together with HSG on the retrofitting of the Maas to run entirely on hydrogen. This future-proof ship will truly be a zero-emissions vessel; a vessel to forge the way for a greener and more sustainable inland shipping industry," Richard Klatten, CEO, FPS, said.
Leendert Hoogendoorn, Director, HSG, added, "Over the past few years Holland Shipyards Group has gained a profound experience in building vessels with sustainable propulsion methods. It has led to battery technology becoming increasingly standard in our projects. As we are always investigating renewable sources, logically the next step is to extend our experience with propulsion methods suitable for (much) larger operational envelopes. Retrofitting a vessel to run on a hydrogen propulsion system fits perfectly within our ambition to work on a greener and more sustainable shipping industry. The Holland Shipyards Group is trustworthy in taking the step forward in more complex energy systems with Future Proof Shipping, sharing the same green ambition!"
The project is supported with funding by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the Interreg North Sea Region Programme (via the ZEM Ports NS project), and via the Port of Rotterdam's stimulation scheme for sustainable inland shipping (executed by the Expertise en InnovatieCentrum Binnenvaart).
Photo: Future Proof Shipping