Hydrogen boats Elektra or Hydrotug: who will be first?

World's first hydrogen-powered push boat christened in Berlin by Franziska Giffey

The world's first hydrogen-powered push boat, the "Elektra", was christened in Berlin. It took shipbuilder Hermann Barthel and his partners two years to develop this vessel. The ship is designed to make optimum use of the energy on board. In addition to the propulsion system, the hydrogen drive system provides heating for the cabins and wheelhouse. The waste heat from the fuel cells is utilised by continuous water cooling and the cabins are heated by a heat pump.

With 750 kilograms of highly compressed hydrogen on board and a battery capacity of around 2,500 kilowatt hours, the push boat has a range of around 215 nautical miles when pushing its lighter, the "Ursus". With an additional charging station, this battery capacity is enough to take "Elektra" across the region's waterways as far as the Ruhr, Hamburg or Szczecin.

In Berlin's West Harbour, the Mayor of Berlin Franziska Giffey the ceremonial christening of the ship. "The world's first zero-emission push boat is the impressive result of collaboration between players from shipbuilding, energy and propulsion technology. I am particularly pleased that a great deal of Berlin's inventive spirit has gone into the development and construction of the "Elektra"," she said.

The first stations for changing hydrogen tanks and electric charging stations for the push boat will go into operation in Berlin's Westhafen and Lüneburg harbour in 2023. The "Elektra" will initially be trialled in the Berlin area. From 2023, the tests will continue on long-distance routes towards Hamburg.

World's first hydrogen-powered tugboat for the port of Antwerp-Bruges nearing completion

Hydrotug, photo: https://swzmaritime.nl/

The "Hydrotug", which claims to be the first hydrogen-powered tugboat, will soon be put into operation in the port of Antwerp-Bruges. The "Hydrotug" consists of two BeHydro V12 medium-speed engines that can run on both hydrogen and conventional fuels. The port sees the tugboat as an important step on the way to a sustainable, climate-neutral port by 2050 and it is scheduled to go into operation in the first quarter of 2023.

Sources: Mariska Buitendijk , swz-maritime, www.maritime-executive.com