Photo: Future Proof Shipping press materials

Future Proof Shipping launches 1st hydrogen-powered inland container vessel

Dutch shipping company Future Proof Shipping (FPS) says it has officially launched the first hydrogen-powered zero-emissions inland container ship, H2 Barge 1.

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The H2 Barge 1, which will dock at the BCTN Network of Inland Terminals, is being utilised by sportswear giant Nike to reduce CO2 emissions.

The vessel is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2000 tonnes of CO2e per year. The ship will sail between Rotterdam and BCTN’s inland terminal in Meerhout several times a week.

Minister of Infrastructure & Water Management in the Netherlands, Mark Harbers, attended the official launch of the vessel last week.

“It’s my pleasure to present the very first A-Zero emission label to H2 Barge1, as it is the first vessel to truly qualify as zero emission. An achievement worth applauding. I hope this achievement by Future Proof Shipping will persuade other shipowners to make the transition to emission free transport too, and that many more A-Zero emission labels will be handed out in the future,” said Harbers.

Richard Klatten, CEO of Future Proof Shipping, added:

“We have been working for a couple of years now to ensure we tread more lightly on the planet. This shipping project proves that moving cargo with zero-emissions and zero impact is possible, and we hope it accelerates the industry to follow in Nike’s footsteps and move to zero. I would like to thank our dedicated FPS team, our founder Huib van de Grijspaarde for his unwavering belief in us and the project and all our trusted partners for enabling us to see it through. This is a pivotal moment, not just for Future Proof Shipping but for the future of shipping.”

Eb Mukhtar, Vice President Operations & Logistics – Nike EMEA, also spoke at the event:

“Nike’s ultimate goal is to create a zero carbon, zero waste future. We’ve been on this journey for decades, and we’re setting even bolder goals for the future. The H2 Barge 1 is an important example of how we are investing in sustainable progress across logistics and transportation to protect the environment for future generations.”

The FPS Maas/H2 Barge 1 retrofit project is supported by grant funding from the Interreg North Sea Region Programme (Zero Emission Ports North Sea – ZEM Ports NS), Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Port of Rotterdam and Expertise- en InnovatieCentrum Binnenvaart.