Photo by Mathilda Khoo on Unsplash
Is hydrogen the future of shipping? The maritime industry is exploring multiple pathways toward decarbonization, from battery-electric solutions and e-fuels to ammonia and methanol. Hydrogen can also play a major part, especially for applications requiring high energy density and long operational range. With cities like Amsterdam, Basel, and Vienna tightening emissions regulations, the need for cleaner alternatives is more urgent than ever. We are very proud that Buccaneer community member Zepp.solutions, a pioneer in hydrogen fuel cell technology, is making waves in the shipping industry.
Hydrogen-powered river cruising: a game-changer
Zepp.solutions has been selected as the fuel cell system supplier for the NERA-H2 project, a Dutch Maritime Master Plan initiative which aims to introduce hydrogen as a clean energy source in the river cruise industry by developing a fully zero-emission demonstration vessel. The project is a crucial step toward sustainable river cruising and the decarbonization of the maritime industry.
What makes NERA-H2 so important?
- Retrofitting existing vessels: Instead of replacing entire fleets, this project upgrades current ships with modular hydrogen and battery-electric drivetrains.
- Scalable impact: With over 420 river cruise vessels in Europe, the potential for large-scale adoption is enormous.
- Proven technology: Zepp’s X150 fuel cell modules, already used in hydrogen-powered trucks, will now deliver over 1MW of clean power for river cruise vessels.
Collaboration for a sustainable future
The NERA-H2 consortium is bringing together industry leaders, research institutions, and shipowners to make zero-emission shipping a reality:
- MARIN & TNO: Leading technical validation and propulsion system research.
- Arnhem and Nijmegen University of Applied Sciences: Focusing on energy storage and digitalization.
- Zepp.solutions: Supplying and integrating hydrogen fuel cell systems.
We are proud to contribute our fuel cell expertise to this ambitious project. The maritime sector’s decarbonization efforts must focus not only on newbuild vessels but also on upgrading existing fleets.
Jonas Brendelberger, co-founder Zepp.solutions
A vision for 2030
The Dutch Maritime Master Plan aims to deploy at least 40 zero-emission ships by 2030, setting a new standard for sustainable shipping. Insights from NERA-H2 will accelerate industry-wide hydrogen adoption. Is hydrogen the future of shipping? With multiple sustainable fuels in play, the path to zero emissions will be diverse. But one thing is clear—change is happening now.
Learn more about Zepp.solutions
As an accelerator, Buccaneer Delft proudly supports innovative companies in the ever-evolving energy & maritime sectors. We are committed to helping sustainable ideas grow, and transform into commercial products and solutions, serving as a bridge between the existing industries and innovations. Our community impacts the energy transition with technological innovations transforming the industry. Learn more about our accelerator services.