Mabanaft to supply hydrogen to Fairplay Towage’s new tugboats

German energy company Mabanaft has agreed to supply tugboat operator Fairplay Towage’s new tugboats with hydrogen in the Port of Hamburg from 2025.

PHOTO: Flags with Mabanaft logo. Mabanaft

Under the deal, Mabanaft will supply hydrogen to tugboats capable of running on hydrogen that Fairplay Towage intends to add to its fleet in the Port of Hamburg “in the coming years.”

“Hydrogen is considered one of the keys to the decarbonisation of the shipping sector, as it offers an emission-free alternative to conventional fossil fuels,” Mabanaft says.

Mabanaft recognises that “not only hydrogen but also the corresponding infrastructure for bunkering must be provided” for deployment of hydrogen-fuelled tugboats. To that end, the company intends to “supplement its range of marine fuels with hydrogen and to use its tank terminals in Hamburg for this purpose,” to supply Fairplay Towage with hydrogen.

“This agreement with Fairplay Towage is an important step on the road to achieving carbon neutral shipping in the Port of Hamburg and we are proud to be working together to decarbonise the industry,” Mabanaft’s new energy, supply & infrastructure senior vice president Volker Ebeling says.

Last November, Mabanaft revealed its intentions to build an ammonia import terminal in the Port of Hamburg.

Dawn of hydrogen

Hydrogen has been gaining popularity in the shipping sector for its zero-emission properties.

This month, Japanese classification society ClassNK approved in principle (AiP) to a parcel layout concept for a hydrogen-fuelled multipurpose vessel.

Also this month, engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions received funding from the German government to develop concepts for hydrogen-fuelled, medium-speed engines for use in the maritime sector.

By Tuhin Roy

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