Dual-fuel hydrogen-powered tugboat ready to operate in Antwerp

Antwerp-based CMB.TECH and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges have announced that the dual-fuel hydrogen-powered tugboat, Hydrotug 1, is ready to start operations in the Antwerp port area.

PHOTO: Dual-fuel hydrogen-powered tugboat, Hydrotug 1, in Port of Antwerp-Bruges. CMB.TECH

The Hydrotug 1 is the world's first tugboat powered by a dual-fuel engine that burns hydrogen in combination with conventional marine fuels, CMB.TECH claims. The engine will run on 85% hydrogen gas and 15% conventional marine fuels.

The vessel utilises a hydrogen dual-fuel medium-speed engine, which provides 2 megawatts (MW) of power. The engine has been provided by BeHydro - a joint venture between two Belgian companies, namely Company Maritime Belge (CMB) and Anglo Belgian Corporation.

Using this engine can result “in an overall reduction of 65% of traditional fuel consumption and associated emissions in the tugboat’s overall cycle,” CMB.TECH claims.

The tugboat can store 415 kg of compressed hydrogen in six stillages installed on deck.

“Hydrogen is one of the keys to an economy and society with minimum impact on the environment,” Port of Antwerp-Bruges chief executive Jacques Vandermeiren says.

By Tuhin Roy

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