Lenten Scheepvaart, a Dutch vessel operator, has signed a historic contract for the construction of the first ever hydrogen-powered inland waterway vessel.
The vessel, which will be named Antonie, will be 135 meters long and feature a ground-breaking fuel cell propulsion system. She will transport salt for Nouryon from Delfzijl in the north of the Netherlands to Botlek in the Rotterdam Port.
Lenten Scheepvaart has been awarded a €4 million subsidy to help with the vessel’s construction. The subsidy, provided by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, is intended to encourage the development of hydrogen as a fuel in the pursuit of zero-emission inland shipping. Similarly, the subsidised hydrogen bunker station in Delfzijl will benefit the vessel and its operations.
