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The Sogestran Group has unveiled the ZULU 06, the first hydrogen-powered river vessel on the Seine in the French capital.<\/p>\n
Minister of Transport Fran\u00e7ois Durovray, who attended the launch, said: \u201cWith the launch of the ZULU 06, we witness a major breakthrough for river transport and the energy transition in France.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis vessel, the first of its kind powered by hydrogen in [this] country, embodies France\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The ZULU 06 is 55m in length and with a cargo capacity of 400 tonnes, is designed for river-borne logistics.<\/p>\n
Designed by LMG Marin, the vessel’s power generation system is supplied by ABB Marine & Ports, with two 200kW hydrogen fuel cells from Ballard.<\/p>\n
Sogestran Group Chairman and CEO Pascal Girardet added: \u201cWhile 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\u2019s commitment to sustainable and efficient mobility.\u201d<\/p>\n
With 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.’<\/p>\n
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<\/a>, or busy industrial areas like the Port of Antwerp-Bruges for several years<\/a>.<\/p>\n