Air Liquide and Future Proof Shipping sign long-term agreement for the supply of carbon-free hydrogen to the inland vessel, the FPS Maas
- Air Liquide
- Europe
- Mobility
Air Liquide and Future Proof Shipping (FPS), a provider of zero-emission shipping solutions, have signed a long-term contract for the supply of carbon-free hydrogen to FPS’ inland barge, the Maas, which transports containers between the Netherlands and Belgium.
As part of the agreement, Air Liquide will supply carbon-free hydrogen through specially designed multi-modal hydrogen storage suited for inland barges. The overall solution enables the avoidance of CO2 emissions by nearly 2,000 tonnes/year for the first concerned ship.
The project is a milestone on the path to the decarbonisation of inland waterways. It enables the substitution of conventional fuel used in the shipping industry by hydrogen, thus reducing the sector’s environmental footprint. The solution can be easily replicated to other ships, trains and other applications.
Air Liquide and FPS also partners in the RH2INE Programme (Rhine Hydrogen Integration Network of Excellence), which aims to decarbonise inland shipping on the Rhine river and is endorsed by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management.
Diederick Luijten, Vice President Hydrogen Energy Northern Europe & CIS countries for Air Liquide, said:
“We are excited to develop this innovative solution together with Future Proof Shipping by leveraging our hydrogen expertise to contribute to the decarbonisation of the maritime sector. This project will help lower the environmental footprint of inland transport on waterways, a sector that represents 3.4% of the CO2 emissions in the Netherlands.”
Richard Klatten, CEO of Future Proof Shipping, said:
“Partnering with Air Liquide, a company with hydrogen at its core, is solving a giant piece of the zero-emissions logistics puzzle for us. Our vessels need to be fueled with renewable energy and right now carbon-free hydrogen, supplied by Air Liquide, is the smartest and greenest fuel choice available to us. We are delighted to welcome the Air Liquide team on board this journey to a zero-emissions shipping world.”
Future Proof Shipping (FPS) (www.futureproofshipping.com), offers zero-emissions shipping services to enable players across the value chain make the transition to zero-emissions. As a zero-emissions vessel owner, FPS aims to build and operate a fleet of 10 zero-emission inland and short-sea vessels over the next five years which they will offer for charter to logistics service providers and cargo owners. FPS also facilitates other shipowners and stakeholders in the maritime sector who are ready to make the shift to zero-emissions, through technical support as well as project development and management.
In full support of the 2015 Paris agreement, the Air Liquide commitments address the urgency of climate change and energy transition, targeting carbon neutrality by 2050. As a pioneer in hydrogen, the Group is convinced that hydrogen is a cornerstone of the energy transition. In the past 50 years, the Group has developed unique expertise enabling it to master the entire supply chain, from production and storage to distribution, contributing to the widespread use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier for a wide range of applications such as industrial usages and clean mobility. Air Liquide is committed to reaching several goals, investing approximately 8 billion Euro in the low-carbon hydrogen full value chain by 2035, and a total of 3 GW electrolysis capacity by 2030.