Georg Dura, projectmanager ZBT. Photo ZBT
Transition phase According to EICB’s Managing Director, it is still too early to say which technology will ultimately be the best choice. “When it comes to climate solutions, there are many options. It all depends on the specific operations. For those with a recently purchased engine, blending with biofuels might be the logical choice. For those aiming to lead the way, hydrogen or battery-electric systems are the way forward. It’s too soon to determine the best option for each case. We are in the middle of a transition phase. Everyone agrees that action is needed, driven primarily by policy.”
German Zentrum für BrennstoffzellenTechnik (ZBT), speaks about enthusiastically. This research center focuses on fuel cell technology and hydrogen applications, conducting research, testing, and prototype development. Since 2018, ZBT has been active in hydrogen infrastructure and applications for heavy transport, including inland shipping.
Dura: “We have been represented in RH₂INE from the very beginning, where we share our knowledge. During a joint project with Nedstack, a Dutch specialist in fuel cell technology, I heard about a Dutch project related to hydrogen ships. I immediately wanted to learn more about the construction of these ships.”
Khalid Tachi
We invite everyone with ambitions in sustainable
inland shipping to join us so we can form a consortium and submit a joint subsidy application
The consortium for the subsidy application is still in the preliminary stages, Tachi notes. Ultimately, this process could move the construction of sustainable vessels to the next phase: large-scale deployment. “By 2025, the consortium must be in place. Those willing, capable, and committed are all welcome. The goal is to develop a strong business case for sustainable inland shipping.”
The energy transition, he emphasizes, is a long-term effort requiring many years of dedication. “It requires commitment and a shift in thinking, not just as an industry but on a European scale. A sector-wide transformation is needed.”
ZBT and RH₂INE The EICB has identified various technologies for sustainable transport options. Within the RH₂INE network, hydrogen naturally takes center stage, a subject Georg Dura, Project Manager at the
High interest During his work on the North Rhine-Westphalia project Kompetenzregion Düssel, Rhein, Wupper, Dura noticed significant interest in hydrogen vessels. This project utilized hydrogen as an energy source for climate-friendly mobility, aiming to develop innovative solutions promoting hydrogen in the transport sector. This included fostering climate-friendly technologies and infrastructure for hydrogen use in public transportation, logistics, and potentially inland and road transport.
One of the project’s core goals was to establish a basic hydrogen refueling infrastructure in the region. Dura, smiling, says: “The amount of hydrogen required for ships compared to cars is vast. For ships, we’re talking about tons, whereas for cars, it’s kilograms.”
Feasibility study Within RH₂INE, ZBT conducted a feasibility study commissioned by the Port of Rotterdam, focusing on market-ready solutions for hydrogen refueling stations. The study’s outcomes provided a roadmap for making hydrogen widely available to the shipping sector. These results benefit not only Rotterdam but also other ports along the Rhine, marking an essential step toward integrating hydrogen as a sustainable fuel in Rhine shipping and logistics.
Dura also mentions the Powertrain project, in which ZBT played a crucial role thanks to its fuel cell technology expertise. “In this project, we established the framework conditions for the safe operation of interchangeable hydrogen tank containers (Multiple-Element Gas Containers, MEGCs) on fuel cell-powered inland vessels, in collaboration with German and Dutch shipping companies, as a proposal for CESNI.” These projects align with broader regional initiatives and the RH₂INE network.”
24 • RH2INE
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