Hydrocat 48 sails from Ostend to offshore wind farms

The world’s first hydrogen-powered CTV for transferring personnel to offshore wind farms is the Hydrocat 48 from CMB.TECH and Windcat Workboats.

The Hydrocat 48 has been bunkering hydrogen at the Port of Ostend since July 21. A dual fuel (hydrogen and diesel) engine powers the 25-meter-long ship, which can store 210 kg of hydrogen in its tanks. It provides the most CO2 reductions at the lowest prices and with the best dependability.

Since pure hydrogen fuel is carbon-free, CO2 emissions are significantly reduced while power consumption stays the same. Each day, the Hydrocat 48 reduces carbon dioxide by 1.9 tons. The absence of CO2 emissions is the main benefit of using hydrogen in shipping.

With this, the Port of Ostend moves one step closer to minimizing its environmental impact. In the meanwhile, CMB.TECH and Windcat Workboats are still focusing on improving the engine power and utilizing more hydrogen. to eventually switch entirely to hydrogen.

This is yet another crucial step in the energy transition, according to Dirk Declerck, CEO and Managing Director of the Port of Ostend. “By accepting the innovative Hydrocat 48, Port of Oostende once again illustrates that we attach significant significance to making the environment more sustainable for the benefit of the environment and the climate,” says Charlotte Verkeyn, Chairman of the Port of Ostend.