The first hydrogen-powered vessel will be launched in Africa. It is backed by Cleanergy, together with CMB.TECH, port of Antwerp Bruges and Namport.
To remind, Cleanergy Solutions Namibia is a joint venture between CMB.TECH and the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group.
After the successful collaboration between CMB.TECH and the port of Antwerp Bruges, with the launch of the hydrotug and the world’s first multimodal hydrogen refuelling station in the port of Antwerp, the focus now shifts to the development of a multifunctional port utility vessel (MPHUV) powered by dual-fuel hydrogen engines.
The MPHUV’s versatile design will enable the integration of different equipment needed for a range of port operations, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions during operations.
CMB.TECH says that the port of Walvis Bay and Namport “emerge as an ideal partner to operate Africa’s first hydrogen vessel.”
The plan was unveiled yesterday in an event organised to showcase the progress of the Cleanergy Green Hydrogen site in Walvis Bay, Namibia, under the guidance of His Majesty, the King of the Belgians and H.E. Dr Nangolo Mbumba, president of Namibia.
The site includes a hydrogen refuelling station and a production plant. The facility uses only solar energy for the on-site production of green hydrogen and will be used for hydrogen-powered trucks, port equipment, railway applications and small ships.
The hydrogen production plant is the first phase of a 5-year plan with several projects at different locations, including ammonia bunkering, pipelines and large-scale hydrogen and ammonia production.
