Construction of the Netherlands’ first hydrogen-powered inland navigation barge is to be supported by a government grant. Announced by the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works, Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, the grant is part of the Dutch Green Deal for Zero-Emission Shipping and Ports.
Operated by Lenten Scheepvaart, the Antonie will transport salt between Rotterdam and Groningen, connecting two of the country’s largest hydrogen sources via inland waterways. Thus, the project will also help establish a backbone of hydrogen refueling options for marine vessels in the two northern Netherlands ports. Nouryon will issue the charter and supply the hydrogen, and the Koedood Marine Group-Nedstack product partnership for inland navigation will provide the fuel cell power system.
Kees de Vries, the project director on behalf of NPRC, which is contracting the charter, commented, “As a nation of shipbuilders we are in pursuit of leadership in zero-emission shipping and we look forward to doing so as a team with Nouryon and Nedstack. Developing the Dutch maritime fuel cell ecosystem will open up new markets and develop an export opportunity for our maritime ecosystem as a whole.”
William van Niekerk, president of the NWBA (Dutch Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association) said, “Almost two years ago, the NWBA – driven by a deep belief that this Green Deal would help accelerate the energy transition in the Netherlands – was among the signatory parties to the Green Deal on Maritime and Inland Shipping. To see hydrogen and fuel cell solutions provided by our members contributing to enabling long-range zero-emission shipping is a fantastic development that puts the Netherlands on the map as a leading nation in the transition toward zero-emission shipping.”