The Netherlands – Royal IHC’s design of a hydrogen-fueled trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) has received Bureau Veritas ‘approval in principle’ (AiP).
Royal IHC, together with the Dutch Rijkswaterstaat, is exploring a new type of vessel referred to as the ‘LEAF’ (low energy adaptive fuel) hopper.
Acceptable vessel design
The AiP from Bureau Veritas means that the proposed design of the vessel has been deemed acceptable in the early stage and that the hydrogen system has been safely integrated. The exploration phase began at the beginning of 2019 with the aim of developing a vessel that can be operational in 2024. Rijkswaterstaat has the ambition to become CO2 neutral by 2030.
Hydrogen-powered TSHD for Dutch coastline
Royal IHC has been developing a hydrogen-powered TSHD that is designed to be used to maintain the Dutch coastline. The LEAF hopper will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as well as harmful exhaust gas emissions in close proximity to the coast and coastal cities. When operating on hydrogen the vessel emits only water vapour.
A minimal amount of CO2, SOx, NOx and particulate matter is released only during the construction of the vessel and in producing green hydrogen.
