Dutch firm to launch hydrogen-powered barge
By swapping diesel for hydrogen power, Future Proof Shipping hopes its pilot scheme will show such retrofits are technically and financially viable
A Dutch shipping company is converting a 110m barge into a hydrogen-powered inland vessel that will enter service in mid-2021. Rotterdam-based Future Proof Shipping will swap the ship’s diesel engine for a propulsion system that includes fuel cells, a battery, an electric motor and hydrogen storage. The proton exchange membrane fuel cells and compressed hydrogen will be sited in the cargo space. The hydrogen will be stored in two swappable 40ft containers, which will contain around 900kg of the gas at a pressure of 300 bar, above the fuel cell system. “After this inland vessel, we want to go to short sea vessels to demonstrate the same capabilities” Godjevac, Future Proof Shipping “B
Also in this section
14 January 2026
Continent’s governments must seize the green hydrogen opportunity by refining policies and ramping up the development of supply chains and infrastructure
6 January 2026
Shifts in government policy and rising power demand will shape the clean hydrogen sector as it attempts to gain momentum following a sluggish performance in 2025
23 December 2025
Government backing and inflow of private capital point to breakthrough year for rising star of the country’s clean energy sector
19 December 2025
The hydrogen industry faces an important choice: coordinated co-evolution or patched-together piecemeal development. The way forward is integrated co-evolution, and freight corridors are a good example
