The Sogestran Group has unveiled the ZULU 06, the first hydrogen-powered river vessel on the Seine in the French capital.
Minister of Transport François Durovray, who attended the launch, said: “With the launch of the ZULU 06, we witness a major breakthrough for river transport and the energy transition in France.
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“This vessel, the first of its kind powered by hydrogen in [this] country, embodies France’s commitment to sustainable, innovative, and decarbonised mobility. This project is a prime example of European cooperation and synergy between public and private stakeholders for green mobility that is both local and sustainable,” he said.
The ZULU 06 is 55m in length and with a cargo capacity of 400 tonnes, is designed for river-borne logistics.
Designed by LMG Marin, the vessel’s power generation system is supplied by ABB Marine & Ports, with two 200kW hydrogen fuel cells from Ballard.
Sogestran Group Chairman and CEO Pascal Girardet added: “While the hydrogen industry is still maturing, every innovation like the ZULU 06 accelerates its democratisation, ultimately building a robust value chain. This vessel is a showcase of technical excellence and a testament to Sogestran’s commitment to sustainable and efficient mobility.”
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By GlobalDataWith 300kg of compressed hydrogen, the ZULU 06 is said to operate without refuelling for seven days, which its designers said ‘set a new standard for efficient and sustainable distribution in urban areas.’
Despite being the first hydrogen-powered riverboat in France, it is far from a breakthrough for the market. Several vessels have operated in busy tourist locations like the Three Gorges in China, or busy industrial areas like the Port of Antwerp-Bruges for several years.
While the industrial uses of hydrogen are up for debate, that debate is not new.
The ZULU 06’s development was a product of the EU-funded FLAGSHIPS project, which has dedicated six years to pioneering zero-emission maritime transport.
The FLAGSHIPS initiative brings together 11 European partners, underscoring the importance of collaboration in reaching decarbonisation targets. The Clean Hydrogen Partnership’s financial and technical support for the project highlights the EU’s instrumental role in promoting hydrogen technologies.
Clean Hydrogen Partnership Executive Director Valérie Bouillon-Delporte said: “The successful integration of fuel cells into the riverboat ZULU 06, soon to operate commercially in the heart of Paris, marks a significant technical and regulatory milestone.
“Building on the momentum of the FLAGSHIPS project, further applications in river and maritime transport will enhance air quality, reduce noise pollution, and drastically shrink the carbon footprint of waterborne transportation.”
