The “first” hydrogen bunkering license has been awarded in the Netherlands, allowing hydrogen-powered vessels to refuel within the port of IJmuiden.
In collaboration with the IJmond Environmental Service, Port of IJmuiden NV and the Port of Amsterdam, Windcat Workboats researched the necessary elements to make bunkering hydrogen possible.
The IJmond Environmental Service has now granted a license for the activity on behalf of the Velsen Municipality. Hydrogen-powered sailing will contribute to the Province of North Holland’s ambition to be climate-neutral by 2050.
The Hydrocat 48, which will bunker at the port, is used to transport crew to and from offshore wind farms for construction and maintenance activities. After sailing from IJmuiden, the vessel will now operate out of the port of Oostende.
Future hydrogen-powered vessels operating on up to 21GW worth of planned wind farms in the North Sea will benefit from bunkering hydrogen at the port of IJmuiden.
Windcat is expected to bring more hydrogen-powered vessels into use in the future. Last week (August 14), the CMB.TECH company ordered six CSOVs which will be redeveloped for hydrogen.
Read more: Windcat to launch hydrogen-powered vessels for offshore operations
“This license represents a major step in the possibility of using hydrogen as a fuel for vessels and increasing the sustainability of the sector,” explained Willem van der Wel, Managing Director of Windcat Workboats.
“As bunkering hydrogen for shipping is a new development, the licensing process was quite complex. With the first license now approved, we expect the use of hydrogen as a green fuel to accelerate.”
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