Belgium’s Compagnie Maritime Belge, via its cleantech division, CMB.Tech has teamed up with compatriot shipping company Boeckmans to build four hydrogen-powered general cargo vessels.
The 5,000 dwt ships will be built at the Dung Quat shipyard in Vietnam with the first delivery expected in the second half of 2025.
The ships, designed jointly with Handelskade, will contain diesel-electric engines placed under its forward accommodation, making the stern available for propulsion systems, such as hydrogen and other alternative low-carbon engines. There will also be ample space available for storage of these alternative fuel sources.
“The ship’s primary design philosophy is to achieve lower emissions through hull shaping, innovative design and the application of the latest technologies. We succeeded in reducing emissions by 40% compared to traditional general cargo vessels in diesel mode. This can be reduced even further by implementing new sustainable propulsion systems and create storage space for fuels such as hydrogen. The ship’s diesel-electric configuration simplifies the integration of new systems into the power grid,” explained Pierre Durot, director of Boeckmans.
Commenting on the latest move, the chief executive of CMB.Tech, Alexander Saverys, added: “Through our partnership with Boeckmans, we are once again breaking new ground in maritime sustainability. Our commitment to reducing emissions through the design of these cargo ships is a huge step forward. By embracing innovative propulsion systems such as hydrogen, we are not just building ships; we are working toward a greener future for global trade routes.”
The newbuilds will be deployed on major sea routes, including northern Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and West Africa.
