FPS Engages Air Liquide for the Supply of Carbon-free Hydrogen to FPS Maas

Future Proof Shipping (FPS) has signed a long term agreement with Air Liquide (AL) for the supply of carbon-free hydrogen to their inland container vessel, FPS Maas, which is transporting containers between the Netherlands and Belgium.

As part of the agreement, Air Liquide will supply carbon-free hydrogen through specially designed multi-modal hydrogen storage suited for inland barges. The newly designed storage will be homologated with the support of notified bodies and will pave the way to make this new market a reality. The overall solution enables FPS Maas to reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 2,000 tonnes per year.

Decarbonisation of inland waterways

The project is a milestone on the path to the decarbonisation of inland waterways. It enables the substitution of conventional fuel used in the shipping industry by hydrogen, thus reducing the sector’s environmental footprint. The solution can be easily replicated to other ships, trains and other applications.

FPS and Air Liquide are also partners in the RH2INE Programme (Rhine Hydrogen Integration Network of Excellence), which aims to decarbonise inland shipping on the Rhine river and which is endorsed by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management, the Province of Zuid-Holland (The Netherlands) and the state of North Rhine Westphalia (Germany).

The hydrogen will be used in a PEM fuel cell to produce electricity to deliver ~ 825 kW for ship propulsion and auxiliary power. The PEM fuel cell system is necessary for converting hydrogen into electricity and will be installed in the cargo space of FPS Maas.

Source: Futureproof Shipping