Dutch shipping company Maris Fiducia has entered into cooperation agreements with maritime technology company HAV Hydrogen and hydrogen producer and distributor Norwegian Hydrogen with the objective of developing, building, and operating hydrogen-powered dry-bulk vessels in Europe.
The vessels will be designed by Dutch naval architecture firm Ankerbeer. Upon successful completion of the project, the vessels will go on hire through a zero-emission time charter agreement with Schulte and Bruns, establishing a commercial operation for vessels operating on hydrogen fuel, thus proving the feasibility of hydrogen technologies for shipping.
The vessels will be classed by DNV and registered in the NIS register. Maris Fiducia's Norwegian subsidiary Maris Fiducia Norway will be responsible for operation of the vessels.
Markku Vedder, CEO of the Maris Fiducia Group, said the use hydrogen as fuel is in line with the company's goal of achieving environmental sustainability in maritime transportation.