Driving Sustainable Innovation: Hydrogen-Powered Retrofit for River Cruise Vessels
Key Ideas
  • Zepp.solutions chosen to supply fuel cell systems for retrofitting cruise vessel with hydrogen and battery-electric drivetrain.
  • NERA-H2 project, funded by Dutch Maritime Master Plan, aims to introduce hydrogen for zero-emission river cruises.
  • Focus on upgrading existing fleets with hydrogen propulsion to meet strict emissions regulations in cities like Amsterdam and Vienna.
  • Collaboration between specialized partners to validate and develop hydrogen propulsion technology for widespread adoption in maritime sector.
Zepp.solutions, a Dutch pioneer in hydrogen fuel cell technology, has been selected as the supplier for fuel cell systems in the NERA-H2 project. This initiative, funded by the Dutch Maritime Master Plan, targets introducing hydrogen as a clean energy source in river cruises through retrofitting vessels with zero-emission propulsion systems. With cities like Amsterdam and Vienna enforcing stringent emissions rules, the project aims to accelerate the energy transition in inland waterways. By utilizing Zepp's X150 fuel cell modules, delivering over 1MW output, the project signifies a crucial step towards large-scale adoption of hydrogen technology in the river cruise industry with potential benefits for over 420 vessels in Europe. The collaborative effort involves research institutions like MARIN and TNO, universities focusing on energy storage, and shipowners ensuring the feasibility of the technology. Zepp.solutions, contributing its expertise, emphasizes the importance of decarbonizing existing fleets along with newbuild vessels. The project aligns with the Dutch Maritime Master Plan's goal of deploying 40 zero-emission ships by 2030, aiming to share insights for industry-wide adoption of hydrogen propulsion, paving the way for a sustainable maritime sector.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.