The Port of Amsterdam’s hydrogen-powered ship Neo Orbis has a chance to win the annual “Marine Propulsion Decarbonisation Award 2024”. The ship, which will be launched next year, uses hydrogen in a solid form, sodium borohydride, for propulsion.

The ship is nominated in the “Technology of the Year” category. The award ceremony will take place in Amsterdam on 24 September. This annual award is an initiative of Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.

By building this ship, the Port of Amsterdam wants to speed up the energy transition and promote clean shipping. Patricia Haks, project manager of the Neo Orbis: ‘We really have to invent the wheel and it is not an easy process. The name already reflects this, Neo Orbis, which stands for the new world and is a compound of Greek and Latin. So it is pioneering new technology, design and specifications. By using sodium borohydride, the ship will soon sail emission-free through our port and we consider that very important.’

Also read: Next Generation Shipyards to build Amsterdam’s new hydrogen-powered pilot vessel Neo Orbis

Sodium borohydride

The Neo Orbis is the first ship in the world that will sail on sodium borohydride (NaBH4), a liquid from which hydrogen will be produced on board. It is a representative ship that will soon be used mainly to sail clients and guests through the port and canals of Amsterdam.

The ship is completely emission-free, silent and runs electrically on batteries. A completely newly developed extractor will produce the hydrogen gas.

H2Ships

The Neo Orbis is being conducted with the European project H2Ships. Other partners include the TU Delft, H2CIF (the inventor and builder of the sodium borohydride installation), MARIN, and Hydroflexx for the engineering. Wijk Yacht Creation is a partner and responsible for the ship’s design, while the ship is being built at Next Generation Shipyards. Lloyd’s Register is supervising the certification and safety inspection for the vessel.

Also read: Port of Amsterdam launches tender for saloon boat using hydrogen in solid form