UK-Australia Consortium Innovates Hydrogen-Powered Tugboats for Green Maritime Operations
Key Ideas
- A UK-Australia consortium, with £3.4M funding, plans to develop hydrogen-powered tugboats and workboats for zero-emission marine operations.
- Key players include Freeport East, government bodies, technology developers, and energy producers from both countries.
- The HyZEM project aims to accelerate the adoption of marine green hydrogen, reduce risks, and demonstrate practical applications for storage and propulsion.
- Infrastructure for green hydrogen generation, distribution, and storage is being planned to support local supply chains and power marine vessels.
A UK-Australia consortium has allocated £3.4M for the Hydrogen Zero Emission Maritime (HyZEM) project to design and develop low-carbon green hydrogen technology for high-powered workboats. The initiative involves key stakeholders such as the UK government's Innovate UK, Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and companies like Freeport East, Steamology, Duodrive, Chartwell Marine, and Rux Energy. The project aims to develop hydrogen-powered tugboats and workboats, with a focus on the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich, and Ipswich. By harnessing offshore wind and nuclear power sources, a green hydrogen hub near Felixstowe is planned to produce 1 GW of hydrogen, part of which will be used to power marine vessels and port equipment. Advanced nanoporous materials for hydrogen storage tanks are being developed by the National Composites Centre and Rux Energy. The project's goals include showcasing practical applications for green hydrogen storage and propulsion, accelerating technology adoption, and supporting local supply chains in the maritime sector.