The Port of Antwerp-Bruges and CMB.TECH will soon welcome the first hydrogen-powered tugboat furthering the port’s transition towards sustainability.

The Hydrotug consists of two BeHydro V12 fuel medium speed engines that can run on both hydrogen and traditional fuel and it can store 415 kilograms of compressed hydrogen in six stillages installed on deck, eliminating the emission’s equivalent of 350 cars.

The first water launch of the Hydrotug at Armón Shipyards in Navia Spain took place on 16 May; sea trials will follow later this year upon completion of remaining construction works on the ship.

The tugboat is expected to become fully operational in the first quarter of 2023.

“We are delighted that Port of Antwerp-Bruges will be the first user of Hydrotug, the world’s largest hydrogen-powered vessel,” said Roy Campe, CTO of CMB.TECH.

“The technology has been approved by Lloyd’s Register and we are ready to approach the global market of 10,000 tugs.”

“With this technology we can significantly improve the air quality in ports and bring hydrogen technology to every port worldwide.”

The acquisition is part of an integral greening programme for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges fleet and, according to the port authority, marks an important step in the transition to a sustainable, climate neutral port by 2050.

Last 22 April, the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge completed their long-awaited merger during an extraordinary general meeting.