Dutch firm to launch hydrogen-powered barge

By swapping diesel for hydrogen power, Future Proof Shipping hopes its pilot scheme will show such retrofits are technically and financially viable

A Dutch shipping company is converting a 110m barge into a hydrogen-powered inland vessel that will enter service in mid-2021. Rotterdam-based Future Proof Shipping will swap the ship’s diesel engine for a propulsion system that includes fuel cells, a battery, an electric motor and hydrogen storage. The proton exchange membrane fuel cells and compressed hydrogen will be sited in the cargo space. The hydrogen will be stored in two swappable 40ft containers, which will contain around 900kg of the gas at a pressure of 300 bar, above the fuel cell system. “After this inland vessel, we want to go to short sea vessels to demonstrate the same capabilities” Godjevac, Future Proof Shipping “B