California’s FCV Vanguard and Antwerp’s Hydrotug 1 push hydrogen harbor craft forward

Harbor vessels—like tugs, pilot boats, and fast-response craft—are the hidden heroes of global trade. But let’s be honest, those old diesel engines leave quite the mess, especially in waterfront communities. Thankfully, some exciting trials are showing promise. Take Zero Emission Industries’ FCV Vanguard in California and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ Hydrotug 1, for instance. They’re proving that hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen combustion can keep up with the demanding needs of quick marine craft, as long as we set up the right hydrogen infrastructure and safety protocols.

In California, the FCV Vanguard is leading the charge, thanks to nearly $2 million in support from the California Energy Commission. They revamped a 27-foot boat to run on a hydrogen-battery-electric system. So, what’s under the hood? It features two nifty 80 kW PEM fuel cell modules borrowed from automotive tech, a 23 kWh marine-grade lithium-ion battery, and a powerful electric motor hooked up to the original sterndrive. The boat stores about 9.8 kg of hydrogen at a pressure of 700 bar while using a Mobile Refueling Truck (MRT), Fuel Interface Box (FIB), and an Emergency Fuel Tank (EFT) to fill up when necessary. In over 80 hours on the water in San Francisco Bay, this vessel traveled 217 nautical miles, used 63.4 kg of hydrogen, and topped off with an overall efficiency of around 35%. That’s not too shabby!

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