Royal IHC has received an AiP (Approval in Principle) from classification society Bureau Veritas to design a hydrogen-fueled trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD). As part of an innovation partnership, Royal IHC will work alongside the Rijkswaterstaat to develop a new type of ship called a LEAF (Low Energy Adaptive Fuel) hopper.
The AiP means that the proposed design of the ship and its features and specifications have been deemed acceptable by Bureau Veritas in this early stage, and states that the hydrogen system for the vessel has been safely integrated. The exploration phase of the project started back in 2019, and the aim is to have the ship operational by 2024.
Rijkswaterstaat is seeking to become a CO2 -neutral company by 2030, and needed cost-effective solutions for coastal protection projects by 2024 to reduce CO2 . Due to this, Royal IHC designed and developed the hydrogen-fueled TSHD for use in maintaining the Dutch coastline.
With its sustainable fuel system, the LEAF hopper will help reduce greenhouse gases and exhaust gas emissions near the coastline. The LEAF also features an electric drivetrain and energy recovery systems to further contribute to environmentally friendly operation.
The AiP means that the duo can continue to work on zero-emissions solutions, and further develop the LEAF hopper for use in creating CO2 -neutral coastal protection works.