The Hydrome dredger has arrived at the Port of Sète, following its departure from Concarneau in 2021, to prepare to use hydrogen starting from September 2025.
Hydrome dredger
The Hydrome dredger, measuring 70m in length, hosts a crew of 10 people and can carry 1,500m2 of sediment. It has an all-electric design to reduce acoustic emissions, while also benefiting residents, marine life on board and wildlife in the vicinity.
The vessel emerged after a collaborative study by Piriou Engineering and LMG Marin de Toulouse and represents 150,000 hours of work from Piriou. The company designed the dredging system and the selection of advanced instrumentation for automated driving. The system includes a 6,000m/h pump. The 200kW hydrogen battery will be produced by Helion Hydrogen Power (Alstom).
Delayed by Storm Ciaran, the sea tests of the Hydrome finally began at the end of 2023 and concluded in January 2024 with sand dredging tests at more than 20m deep.
Vincent Faujour, president of the Piriou Group, stated, “With the delivery of the Hydrome, Piriou once again demonstrates its ability to respond to the challenge of decarbonizing ships, to which the group is fully committed. I warmly thank the Occitanie region for its confidence in French naval Piriou. I am proud of the remarkable work carried out by our teams and our partners to meet this real technological challenge. The Hydrome is a fantastic showcase of French know-how in low-carbon ships and hydrogen technology. We wish good winds and good seas to the Hydrome and its crew for its crossing to the port of Sète.”
Decarbonizing ships
Equipped with electric propulsion, this vessel, made in France, will begin operating in September 2025 using hydrogen. Constructed by Piriou, it represents an investment of €29m (US$31.4m).
As it embarks on its mission, the Hydrome will gradually reduce its carbon footprint. By 2025, thanks to hydrogen technology, it aims to emit 20% less CO₂ and eventually achieve zero emissions while docked or anchored. This translates to a substantial reduction of 700 tons of CO₂ annually, contributing to a cleaner atmosphere. Additionally, the Hydrome incorporates a device that limits wastewater releases and optimizes water use on the vessel.
According to Helion Hydrogen Power, the Hydrome will soon be powered by locally produced green hydrogen. This approach reportedly makes it the first vessel in the world to have four marinized hydrogen containers (totaling approximately 1.6 tons) actively participating in its propulsion.
Regional commitment
The Hydrome project aligns with Occitanie’s Regional Roadmap, aiming to make the region the first positive energy area in Europe. This voluntary initiative also dovetails with the Regional Hydrogen Plan, which targets 150MW of hydrogen production. Additionally, the construction of the energy transition port and the deployment of green strategies at the Sète-Frontignan port underscore Occitanie’s commitment to sustainability.
In related news, Yamaha Motor Corporation recently unveiled what it claims to be the world’s first hydrogen-powered outboard for recreational boats along with a prototype fuel system integrated into a vessel. Click here to read the full story.