Commissioner Liesbeth Grijsen of the Dutch province of Overijssel province commissioned a new workboat on Wednesday, 4 September. The Beulake is an all-electric work vessel with a hydrogen fuel generator.
The commissioning took place at Beukers support point in Wanneperveen. Beulake, as the new vessel was christened, replaces the current workboat De Buffel. The old, diesel-powered vessel is nearing the end of its service life and is now being replaced by the more sustainable variant.
The workboat will be used for inspection and survey of the Overijssel waterways, calamities and carrying out occasional minor maintenance.
Also read: Dutch province of Overijssel to order hydrogen-powered workboat
Hydrogen-powered
Overijssel has opted for an all-electric work vessel with a hydrogen fuel generator. The hydrogen-fuelled generator allows for emission-free sailing. The generator charges the onboard battery when shore power is not available and during longer working days and multi-day (inspection) sailings.
Limiting emissions of harmful substances and noise reduction are important starting points for the province, as the ship often sails in Natura 2000 areas including De Wieden and Weerribben. Projectbureau Maritime Developers and Groeneveldt Marine Construction BV of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht developed and built the new working vessel.
Also read: CMB.Tech and Damen ink deal for four hydrogen-powered tugs
RVO subsidy
As this concept is relatively new, the province of Overijssel asked the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management whether it could qualify as a pilot project for the Specific Clean Air Agreement Allowance (Specifieke Uitkering Schone Lucht Akkoord). The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) granted this application and allocated the maximum contribution of EUR 500,000.
Also read: Hydrogen ship Neo Orbis is Decarbonisation Award nominee
