CMB.TECH-led JV plans to build hydrogen-powered vessel in Namibia

Antwerp-based clean technology firm CMB.TECH in collaboration with Cleanergy, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) has revealed its plans to develop Africa’s first dual-fuel hydrogen-powered vessel.

PHOTO: CMB.TECH-led consortium’s dual-fuel hydrogen-powered vessel concept. CMB.TECH

The consortium plans to develop a Multifunctional Port Utility Vessel (MPHUV) powered by a dual-fuel hydrogen engine. A MPHUV is a versatile ship designed to perform various tasks in ports, such as towing, firefighting, oil spill response, and cargo handling.

Considering the African ports' potential to serve as hubs for implementing hydrogen technology, Namport has emerged as an ideal partner “to operate Africa's first hydrogen vessel,” CMB.TECH claims.

Participation of Namport in the project will offer valuable insights as feedback from users in the Namibian ports will help to improve the vessel design. Namport manages both the Port of Walvis Bay and the Port of Lüderitz in Namibia.

In November 2022, Cleanergy Solutions Namibia - a joint venture between CMB.TECH and Namibian conglomerate Ohlthaver & List (O&L) - agreed to develop a green hydrogen production plant in Namibia.

The project comprises a 10-hectare solar park housing a hydrogen production facility equipped with a 5-megawatt (MW) proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser and a 5-MW hour battery. This facility utilises solar energy for hydrogen production.

The hydrogen production plant marks the initial stage of a five-year plan that encompasses multiple projects across various locations in Namibia, such as ammonia bunkering, pipelines, and the production of hydrogen and ammonia on a large scale, CMB.TECH says.

By Tuhin Roy

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