At the inland terminal of Alblasserdam, near Rotterdam, a striking scene captures the changing face of maritime transport. The crew of H2 Barge 2 is engaged in an unusual refuelling operation, not with diesel hoses but with containers filled with compressed green hydrogen. The fuel is produced entirely from renewable energy sources, and the vessel itself sails without emitting a single gram of carbon dioxide.
This innovative approach is more than symbolic. “Our barges can sail approximately 100 trips per year for a round trip of 500 kilometres. This ensures a saving of 2,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ per year,” explains Sara Ravazza, Managing Director of Future Proof Shipping, the company behind the project. The numbers reveal both the scale of the challenge and the potential impact of alternative propulsion technologies in shipping.
A Sector Under Pressure
Shipping carries around 90 per cent of global trade, but it also accounts for nearly three per cent of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set ambitious targets to cut emissions by at least 50 per cent by 2050 compared with 2008 levels, and the pressure on operators is mounting. Against this backdrop, real-world examples of the energy transition are vital in proving what is possible.
Beyond Diesel: Emerging Solutions
Hydrogen-powered barges such as H2 Barge 2 showcase one pathway. By using modular hydrogen containers, the vessel sidesteps the need for fixed bunkering infrastructure, offering flexibility while ports adapt to new energy demands.
Elsewhere, battery-electric ferries are already operating on shorter routes. In Norway, for instance, electric ferries have become commonplace, dramatically reducing both fuel consumption and noise pollution. Similarly, hybrid vessels combining batteries with biofuels are enabling operators to cut emissions while maintaining range.
Wind-assisted propulsion is another promising avenue. From rigid sails to modern kite systems, these technologies can reduce fuel burn by harnessing natural forces. Several large cargo carriers have begun fitting wind-assist systems, cutting consumption by up to 20 per cent under favourable conditions.
Ports as Energy Hubs
The transition is not limited to vessels. Ports themselves are transforming into hubs for renewable energy. Shore power systems allow ships to switch off their diesel engines while docked, drawing electricity directly from the grid. In Hamburg and Los Angeles, large-scale investments in shore power infrastructure are already paying dividends in reduced air pollution for nearby communities.
The example of Alblasserdam demonstrates how ports can integrate renewable fuels such as green hydrogen, creating circular economies where local renewable generation supports clean shipping.
Charting a New Course
The path to decarbonising shipping is neither simple nor uniform. Each vessel type, route and cargo profile may demand a different solution, from hydrogen and ammonia to batteries and wind. What unites these projects is the determination to demonstrate that the maritime sector’s carbon footprint can be reduced in practice, not just in theory.
The H2 Barge 2 is a clear sign of momentum. By showing that hydrogen can power inland waterways reliably, it highlights the practical steps already being taken to steer the industry towards its low-carbon future. As more vessels and ports adopt similar innovations, shipping’s role in the global energy transition will become ever more visible – and indispensable.
The post Green Horizons: Practical Steps in Shipping’s Energy Transition first appeared on Haush.