Port of Antwerp-Bruges and CMB.TECH announced a world first, the Hydrotug 1, the first hydrogen-powered tugboat, which is now ready for operation in the Antwerp port area.
This ground-breaking development will play a crucial role in Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ efforts to green its fleet and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
The Hydrotug 1 is the first tugboat in the world to be powered by combustion engines that burn hydrogen in combination with traditional fuel.
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 6 stillages installed on deck and eliminates the emission’s equivalent of 350 cars per year.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, commented, “Port of Antwerp-Bruges wants to fully exploit its potential and is committed to being an active pioneer in the hydrogen economy on a European scale. With the Hydrotug 1, the world’s first hydrogen-powered tugboat, we want to be a source of inspiration as well as an example for other ports.”
Hydrotug 1 specifications
- Dimensions: Beam: 12.5m, Length overall: 30m, moulded depth: 5m, depth of the propellors: 5.9m
- Total of 415 kg of compressed hydrogen stored in 54 x individual Type 3 cylinders installed in 6 x stillages on deck
- 2 x 2MW V12 dual fuel BeHydro engines with EU Stage V compliant after treatment (SCR and particulate filter)
- 65 ton bollard pull
- Classification by Lloyd’s Register
- Double hull
- Volvo Penta D8 MG Stage V for auxiliaries
