France’s ‘first’ hydrogen-powered inland vessel hits the water

French Sogestran Group has christened the Zulu 06, said to be France’s “first” hydrogen-powered inland vessel. The vessel developed by the Sogestran Group was christened on December 3 in Paris by its godmother, Valérie Bouillon-Delporte, executive director of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, in the presence of François Durovray, minister of transport.

The vessel, measuring 55 meters in length, is designed to address the challenges of urban logistics in metropolitan centers.

With a transport capacity of 400 tons of goods, Zulu 06 is powered by two 200 kW fuel cells, supplied by 300 kg of decarbonized hydrogen stored at 300 bars. It boasts a range of 500 km, perfectly suited for urban distribution missions, according to Sogestran Group.

The Zulu 06 is the result of six years of research conducted by the inland waterway freight transport expert Sogestran Group, as part of the European Flagships program, which aims to promote zero-emission solutions on European rivers.

It received financial and technical support from the European Union (via the Clean Hydrogen Partnership) and from Voies Navigables de France (VNF) through the modernization and innovation support plan, co-financed by ADEME and the Île-de-France Region.

However, the hydrogen sector still has a long way to go before becoming a widely adopted solution, the company’s statement reads.

“With the ZULU 06, we are taking a key step forward for inland waterway transport. This vessel embodies not only technological excellence but also Sogestran’s commitment to sustainable and efficient mobility,” said Pascal Girardet, chairman and CEO of the Sogestran Group.

François Durovray, French minister delegate for transport, noted: “This vessel, the first of its kind powered by hydrogen in France, embodies the country’s commitment to sustainable, innovative, and decarbonized mobility. It demonstrates our ability to combine logistical performance with environmental respect.

“This project is a wonderful example of European cooperation and synergy between public and private stakeholders for green mobility that is both local and sustainable.

“We are taking a significant step in the decarbonization of transport. It is a strong signal of our determination to transform our transportation modes to make them more ecological and more resilient in the face of future challenges.”

^{Video credit: Sogestran Group}