First hydrogen tug launched at Antwerp-Bruges

Hydrotug 1 has been built by alternative fuel combustion engine firm CMB.Tech. The firm is the clean technology arm of Belgian shipping firm CMB (Compagnie Maritime Belge).

“The Hydrotug 1 is the first tugboat in the world to be powered by combustion engines that burn hydrogen in combination with traditional fuel,” said CMB.Tech.

“It is the first vessel that uses the BeHydro V12 dual fuel medium speed engines – each providing 2 megawatts – with the latest EU Stage V emissions after treatment. With these engines, the vessel uses clean fuels, resulting in an overall reduction of 65% of traditional fuel consumption and associated emissions in the tugboat’s overall cycle.

“The Hydrotug 1 can store 415kg of compressed hydrogen in six stillages installed on deck and eliminates the emission’s equivalent of 350 cars per year.”

Hydrotug 1 is 30m in length with a beam of 12.5m, a 65t bollard pull and powered by two 2MW dual-fuel BeHydro engines, plus a Volvo Penta D8 MG Stage V for auxiliaries.

“Hydrogen is one of the keys to an economy and society with minimum impact on the environment,” said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges. “As such it is one of the fuels of the future. Port of Antwerp-Bruges aims to develop its potential to the full, committing itself as an active pioneer in the hydrogen economy on a European scale. The ecosystem represented by the port platform is an ideal test bed for this technology on a large scale. In this way we seek to be a source of inspiration and to set an example for other ports.”

“Port of Antwerp-Bruges aims to position itself as a green energy gate to Europe, with a focus on hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source for vessels, said Annick De Ridder, vice mayor for the port, urban development, spatial planning and patrimony of the City of Antwerp, and president of the Board of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The Hydrotug 1 is a significant step towards achieving this goal, as it is capable of running on both hydrogen and traditional fuel, demonstrating the potential for a transition to clean energy in the shipping industry.”