Belgium’s Saverys shipping dynasty used the christening of a hydrogen-powered tug to underscore their conviction that hydrogen and ammonia are their future fuels of choice.
Hydrotug 1 was christened in the Port of Antwerp on Tuesday, more than a year after being delivered to the port.
Its two four-stroke engines will run on diesel or a mix of diesel and hydrogen. The vessel has been built as part of a joint venture between the Saverys’ technology company CMB.Tech and engine maker Anglo Belgium Corp.
CMB.Tech chief executive Alexander Saverys said it is the largest hydrogen dual-fuel vessel and a first when it comes to tugboats.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has been investing in clean energy infrastructure in recent years, positioning itself as an energy hub, signing agreements to work on green corridors and working with energy companies in developing clean energy hubs.
This tug will use hydrogen generated in the port using electrolysis in a dedicated area where the port’s hydrogen-fuelled trucks and privately owned cars can be refuelled.
CMB.Tech is a division of Compagnie Maritime Belge, a Saverys company driving hydrogen technology.
This is the fourth hydrogen-fuelled vessel from the company, which is also active in hydrogen infrastructure in ports, road haulage and the development of hydrogen generation in Namibia. Another CMB subsidiary, Windcat, operates a hydrogen dual-fuel crew transfer vessel, the Hydrocat.
CMB.Tech is also working with engine maker MAN Energy Solutions to develop a spark plug pure hydrogen engine and with WinGD on ammonia dual-fuel engines.
Saverys family-controlled Euronav recently ordered a VLCC that will be built ready to use ammonia in its dual-fuel engines.
