During 2023, Boskalis carried out a successful pilot project that demonstrated the ability of one of its vessels to run on hydrogen and conduct dredging activities completely emission-free. The Medusa 2 – a converted excavator pontoon.
To progress towards its climate neutral ambition, Boskalis aims to increase the energy efficiency of its fleet and its use of renewable fuels. However, completing our energy transition relies on the development of suitable fuels that can not only meet the energy intensity demanded by our vessels but also satisfy broader practical considerations such as storage capacity and the highest safety standards.
During 2023, Boskalis carried out a successful pilot project that demonstrated the ability of one of its vessels to run on hydrogen and conduct dredging activities completely emission-free. The Medusa 2 – a converted excavator pontoon – was fitted with two interconnected containers, one containing hydrogen and the other a fuel cell that converts the hydrogen into electrical energy. That energy was then used to power an electric crane on board. Running solely on hydrogen, the Medusa 2 conducted dredging activities on Maasvlakte 2 in the port of Rotterdam for several weeks.
The pilot yielded valuable information about what it means for a vessel to operate on hydrogen and the possible implications if applied more broadly within Boskalis and the industry. Data gathered from the pilot can be compared with similar work executed with diesel-powered cranes. Meanwhile, sharing the outcomes and acquired knowledge enables our industry as a whole to progress its transition to cleaner fuels.
The pilot demonstrated not just that a vessel of this kind could be powered by a hydrogen-powered fuel cell but, crucially, that the renewable fuel could support a crane’s extreme variation in power demand during dredging operations. The pilot also identified important limitations, such as the vast quantities of hydrogen required to power the vessel and therefore the importance of infrastructure to refuel. A single 20-foot container of hydrogen was enough for around three days of dredging. Operations also depend on a suitable location where hydrogen can be loaded effectively and safely.
The pilot was carried out in collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam and ZEDhub which brings together dredging companies, energy providers, engine manufacturers and fuel-cell distributors who all play a role in the maritime industry’s energy transition.
