FIRST H2 FUELLED INLAND CONTAINERSHIP LAUNCH

May 26, 2023 | Marine environment & clean shipping news

Dutch shipping company Future Proof Shipping (FPS) has officially launched the first hydrogen-powered zero-emissions inland container ship, ‘H2 Barge 1’, in Rotterdam.

As part of its journey toward a zero carbon and zero waste future, clothing manufacturer Nike is partnering with FPS and Benelux container terminal operator BCTN to accelerate zero-emission shipping.

The FPS zero-emissions 110m x 11.45m inland containership, H2 Barge 1 is chartered by BCTN on behalf of Nike EMEA. The vessel, expected to reduce GHG emissions by 2000t/yr CO2e, will sail between Rotterdam and BCTN’s inland terminal in Meerhout several times a week.

Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers presented FPS with the A-Zero (A0) emission label, which is awarded to zero-emission vessels.

Harbers said: “It’s my pleasure to present the very first A-Zero emission label to H2 Barge1, as it is the first vessel to truly qualify as zero emission. An achievement worth applauding. I hope this achievement by Future Proof Shipping will persuade other shipowners to make the transition to emission free transport too, and that many more A-Zero emission labels will be handed out in the future.”

FPS CEO Richard Klatten said: “We have been working for a couple of years now to ensure we tread more lightly on the planet. This shipping project proves that moving cargo with zero-emissions and zero impact is possible, and we hope it accelerates the industry to follow in Nike’s footsteps and move to zero. I would like to thank our dedicated FPS team, our founder Huib van de Grijspaarde for his unwavering belief in us and the project and all our trusted partners for enabling us to see it through. This is a pivotal moment, not just for Future Proof Shipping but for the future of shipping.”

Eb Mukhtar, VP Operations and Logistics, Nike EMEA said: “Nike’s ultimate goal is to create a zero carbon, zero waste future. We’ve been on this journey for decades, and we’re setting even bolder goals for the future. The H2 Barge 1 is an important example of how we are investing in sustainable progress across logistics and transportation to protect the environment for future generations.”

David Huybrechts, GM Belgium, BCTN said: “Green and blue are our colours: we navigate the inland waterways and respect nature. We wish to be the preferred inland operator of our customers. Sustainability is part of our DNA, and together with the right partners, we are building a zero-emission future.” 

The FPS Maas/H2 Barge 1 retrofit project is supported by grant funding from the Interreg North Sea Region Programme (Zero Emission Ports North Sea – ZEM Ports NS), Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Port of Rotterdam and Expertise- en InnovatieCentrum Binnenvaart.

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