Port of Antwerp-Bruges & CMB.TECH prepare Hydrotug, the first hydrogen-powered tugboat

18/05/2022

Port of Antwerp-Bruges and CMB.TECH will soon welcome the Hydrotug, the first hydrogen-powered tugboat. The Hydrotug consists of two BeHydro V12 dual fuel medium speed engines that can run on hydrogen and traditional fuel. This ground-breaking development will be used by Port of Antwerp-Bruges as an important step in the transition to a sustainable, climate neutral port by 2050 and will be operational in the first quarter of 2023.

With the Hydrotug, CMB.TECH confirms its international pioneering role in the transition to ships powered by environmentally-friendly fuel.

CTO of CMB.TECH – Roy Campe:
“We are delighted that Port of Antwerp-Bruges will be the first user of Hydrotug, the world's largest hydrogen-powered vessel. The technology has been approved by Lloyd's Register and we are ready to approach the global market of 10.000 tugs. With this technology we can significantly improve the air quality in ports and bring hydrogen technology to every port worldwide.”

The Hydrotug is part of an integral greening programme for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges fleet. With this innovation, Port of Antwerp-Bruges strives to integrate the most environmentally-friendly technologies available. The Hydrotug can store 415kg of compressed hydrogen in 6 stillages installed on deck and eliminates the emission's equivalent of 350 cars.

Vice Mayor for the port, urban development, spatial planning and patrimony of the City of Antwerp, President of the Board of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges – Annick De Ridder:
“The unified port cherishes the ambition to become the energy gateway to Europe as a 'green port'. An important role in this is reserved for (green) hydrogen. We therefore applaud such projects. It is innovations such as these that ensure that our port continues to excel as the economic engine of Flanders. We look forward to the arrival of the Hydrotug in Antwerp towards the end of the year.”

Port of Antwerp-Bruges Manager Operations – Rob Smeets:
“Recently Port of Antwerp merged with the Port of Zeebrugge into one big organization that aims to reconcile people, climate and economy. Our common goal is to become carbon neutral by 2050, by walking many different sustainability paths, such as carbon capture and storage, and efforts in hydrogen. By 2028 our goal is to have the first green hydrogen molecules on our platforms. Moreover, we are investigating a hydrogen pipeline between the two ports and towards the European hinterland so we can use as much renewable energy as possible. This hydrotug is a fantastic example of what our sustainable future should look like.”

BeHydro, a joint venture between CMB.TECH & ABC, has recently developed the technology for medium-speed engines with a higher power output. The Hydrotug is the first vessel to be powered by these dual fuel medium speed engines – each providing 2 megawatts - with the latest EU Stage V emissions after treatment. The engines passed the necessary Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) that validate the correct operation of the equipment. This is required by Lloyd’s Register, a global professional service that specializes in engineering and technology for the maritime industry and improves the safety of ships.

The first water launch of the Hydrotug at Armón Shipyards in Navia Spain took place Monday, the 16th of May, and in the next few months, the remaining construction works on the ship will be completed (outfitting) so sea trials can follow later this year. The goal is to deliver the Hydrotug by the end of this year and to have it fully operational in the first quarter of 2023 in Antwerp.

About CMB and CMB.TECH
CMB (Compagnie Maritime Belge) is a diversified shipping and logistics group based in Antwerp, Belgium. CMB owns and operates 147 seagoing vessels in dry bulk (Bocimar), container transport (Delphis), chemical tankers (Bochem) & crew transfer vessels (Windcat). CMB is also active in cleantech (CMB.TECH) and real estate (MCA Facilities, Maritime Campus Antwerp). CMB has offices in Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany (Hamburg), UK (Lowestoft and Brentwood) and The Netherlands (Amsterdam). www.cmb.be

CMB.TECH is a cleantech company that builds, owns, operates & designs large marine and industrial applications that run on hydrogen and ammonia. CMB.TECH also offers hydrogen and ammonia fuel to its customers, either through own production or by sourcing it from third party producers. www.cmb.tech

About Port of Antwerp-Bruges
With an overall throughput of 289 million tons per year, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is a critical hub in worldwide trade and industry. The port is a crucial link for the handling of containers, breakbulk and for the throughput of vehicles. Port of Antwerp-Bruges is home to 1.400 companies and accommodates the largest integrated chemical cluster in Europe. The port provides, directly and indirectly, a total of around 164.000 jobs and generates an added value of 21 billion euros.

The ambition for Port of Antwerp-Bruges is clear - to become the world's first port that reconciles economy, people and climate. As well as growing in a sustainable way, the Port also aims to focus on its unique position as a logistics, maritime and industrial centre and to take the lead in the transition to a circular and low-carbon economy. Together with the port community, customers and other partners, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is actively seeking innovative solutions for a sustainable future. High on the agenda is its responsibility for the environment and the surrounding society.

The port sites of Antwerp and Zeebrugge are operated by the Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority, a limited liability company of public law with the City of Antwerp and the City of Bruges as its shareholders. The port employs 1,800 people. Vice-Mayor of Antwerp Annick De Ridder is President of the Board of Directors, the Mayor of Bruges Dirk De fauw is the Vice-President. Jacques Vandermeiren is CEO and President of the Executive Committee, which is responsible for the port’s day-to-day management. www.portofantwerpbruges.com

About BeHydro
BeHydro is a joint venture between ABC and CMB.TECH. This joint venture combines the skills of a multi-fuel engine manufacturer with the insights of a cleantech company that builds, owns, operates and designs applications that run on hydrogen and ammonia. Many industries such as shipping, railways and power generation need technologies to make the energy transition happen. BeHydro has set itself the goal of providing the solution for these demanding industries.

Hydrotug specifications for technical experts:

  • Dimensions: breadth: 12.5m, Length over all: 30m, moulded depth: 5m
  • Total of 415 kg of compressed hydrogen stored in 54x individual Type 3 cylinders installed in 6x stillages on deck
  • 2x 2MW V12 dual-fuel BeHydro engines
  • EU Stage V compliant after treatment (SCR and particulate filter)
  • Tractor tug with 65 ton bollard pull
  • Classification by Lloyd’s Register
  • Double hull
  • Volvo Penta D8 MG Stage V for auxiliaries

BeHydro
The hydrogen future is now

  • Hydrotug 01
  • Hydrotug 02
  • Hydrotug 03
  • Hydrotug 04
  • Hydrotug 05
  • Hydrotug 06
  • Hydrotug 07
  • Hydrotug engine 1
  • Hydrotug engine 2

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