Air Products South Africa, supplied gases for the reactant replenishment of a Portuguese Navy submarine.
The submarine arrived in Cape Town, coinciding with the state visit of the President of Portugal, Rebelo de Sousa, to South Africa. The mission was multi-pronged, aiming to ensure the President’s protection, strengthen relations between Portugal and South Africa, and underpin Air Products South Africa’s potential in supplying hydrogen solutions.
According to Arthi Govender, Marketing and Communications Executive at Air Products South Africa, the company successfully supplied the Portuguese Navy submarine with fuel cell reactants. This accomplishment was a result of the collaborative efforts between their facility in Cape Town and the production facility in Gauteng. The reactants included hydrogen tube trailers, nitrogen packs, bulk liquid medical oxygen, and argon cylinders.
The Air Products team from Germany played a crucial role in this project, serving as the primary liaison between Air Products South Africa and the Portuguese Navy. Govender acknowledged their German counterparts’ invaluable knowledge and access to cutting-edge technology in the field of hydrogen applications.
The supply operation for the Navy employed different modes of supply and required precise planning and coordination. Govender reported the successful delivery of the liquid medical oxygen via bulk tanker, nitrogen cylinder packs, and hydrogen via their new hydrogen trailers, all in accordance with the Navy’s schedule.
Govender concluded by affirming that Air Products South Africa fully supports the global focus and strategy of Air Products on the use of hydrogen applications across various industries.
