Zero-emission cargo ships enter real-world logistics routes
Two hydrogen-powered commercial vessels are now navigating Europe’s inland waterways – marking a significant achievement for zero-emission shipping. Behind them stands FLAGSHIPS, a European innovation project that has taken a bold step toward transforming maritime transport through the deployment of clean hydrogen technologies in real-world operations. Launched with the ambition to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission waterborne transport, the FLAGSHIPS project was designed to demonstrate that hydrogen-powered vessels are not only technologically feasible but also commercially viable. Rather than remaining in the realm of pilots or simulations, FLAGSHIPS places its focus firmly on operational readiness. Its central aim is to raise the technological readiness level of fuel-cell vessels and to prove their ability to function as regular commercial assets.
To do this, the project developed and deployed two hydrogen-powered cargo ships that operate on busy European inland waterways. These vessels – one a retrofit and the other a newbuild – are powered entirely by hydrogen fuel cells, offering a practical, scalable alternative to diesel-powered engines. By integrating these vessels into standard logistics routes, FLAGSHIPS intends to build a compelling case for a new generation of clean cargo transport.
Two vessels, two approaches
The first demonstrator is H2 Barge 2, a 109.8-meter-long container vessel operated by Netherlands-based Future Proof Shipping. Originally built in 1993 under the name Fenny 1, the ship was fully retrofitted with a 1.2 MW propulsion system consisting of PEM fuel cells, battery packs, hydrogen storage, and an electric motor. Since its launch in February 2024, H2 Barge 2 has been operating a 240-kilometre commercial route between Rotterdam (NL) and Duisburg (DE) on the Rhine — one of Europe’s busiest and most economically vital rivers.
The second vessel, Zulu 06, represents a different path. Unlike H2 Barge 2, Zulu 06 is a newbuild, specifically designed for urban logistics on the Seine in Paris. Owned by Compagnie Fluvial de Transport, a subsidiary of France’s Sogestran Group, the vessel measures 55 meters in length and is designed to carry up to 400 tons of cargo. Zulu 06 operates on compressed hydrogen, using two 200 kW PEM fuel cells supplied by Ballard, integrated into a full propulsion system by ABB Marine & Ports. Its hydrogen architecture was designed by LMG Marin, and it was officially launched in December 2024.
These two vessels demonstrate complementary strategies for decarbonization — retrofitting existing fleets and designing clean ships from scratch — both of which are crucial to rapidly decarbonizing maritime logistics.
Funding and partners
FLAGSHIPS is coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and includes 12 partners from across Europe. The consortium features shipowners (Future Proof Shipping, Norled, and CFT/Sogestran), maritime integrators (ABB Marine & Ports, SEAM), fuel cell provider Ballard Power Systems Europe, ship designer LMG Marin, and data and monitoring experts like Persee. Communication and dissemination are handled by Maritime CleanTech.
The project has received €5 million in funding from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership (formerly Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking) under grant agreement No. 826215. The Clean Hydrogen Partnership is supported by the European Commission, Hydrogen Europe, and Hydrogen Europe Research, and is part of the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
Where things stand
Both Zulu 06 and H2 Barge 2 are now operating on their designated routes and have entered the 18-month demonstration phase, during which operational data will be gathered to evaluate efficiency, safety, and regulatory performance. The ultimate objective is to prove that these vessels can operate reliably under typical commercial conditions, setting the foundation for further replication and scale-up.
For Jyrki Mikkola, Senior Scientist at VTT and Project Coordinator, this represents the culmination of years of hard work. «Years of effort have brought us to this incredible milestone. The deployment of Zulu 06 as the first hydrogen-powered vessel on the Seine is a breakthrough in sustainable logistics. It showcases the collective power of collaboration and innovation within the FLAGSHIPS project,» he said.
A market not yet mature
FLAGSHIPS operates in a complex technological and economic context. Although hydrogen is widely seen as a key element of decarbonized transport, the infrastructure and supply chains necessary for its large-scale deployment remain underdeveloped. Cost remains a critical challenge. As Kristina Fløche Juelsgaard, Director of Market Development at Ballard Power Systems, put it: «We see big cost reduction potential in scaling up. Today, all the little components are expensive, but with growing numbers, these prices will come down.»
Shipowners are still cautious, particularly given the regulatory uncertainty and capital investment required. Hilde-Kristin Sæter, Project Manager at Norled, highlighted that availability, safety, and cost are still key decision-making factors. «Most tenders favor the lowest cost, even if there are quality and environmental criteria too,» she noted.
To support scaling, manufacturers such as TECO 2030 are preparing large-scale fuel cell production facilities, while others, like Amogy, are experimenting with ammonia as an alternative hydrogen carrier, focusing on cost-effectiveness and storage benefits.
Charting different courses towards a zero-emission future: On the left, H2 Barge 2, a retrofitted hydrogen-powered container vessel operating on the Rhine. On the right, Zulu 06, a newbuild hydrogen-electric vessel designed for urban logistics on the Seine. Both demonstrate the growing potential of hydrogen in diverse maritime applications
The Broader Vision
At the christening of Zulu 06 in Paris, Valérie Bouillon-Delporte, Executive Director of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, emphasized the strategic importance of the vessel. «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.»
Even the French Minister of Transport, François Durovray, weighed in on its significance. «With the launch of the ZULU 06, we witness a major breakthrough for river transport and the energy transition in France. This vessel embodies our commitment to sustainable, innovative, and decarbonized mobility,» he said.
Looking ahead, FLAGSHIPS aims to do more than showcase success. It seeks to catalyze a shift in how logistics operates in cities, along rivers, and eventually at sea. The hope is that by demonstrating feasibility, safety, and commercial value, hydrogen-powered shipping will move from exception to standard.
As Pascal Girardet, CEO of Sogestran, concluded: «While the hydrogen industry is still maturing, every innovation like the Zulu 06 accelerates its democratization, ultimately building a robust value chain. This vessel is a showcase of technical excellence and a testament to our commitment to sustainable and efficient mobility.»
Toward the European Hydrogen Week
Momentum for hydrogen-based solutions in waterborne transport continues to build. Later this year, Brussels will once again host one of the most anticipated events in the clean energy calendar: the European Hydrogen Week. From 29 September to 3 October 2025, this multi-day gathering will bring together voices from across the hydrogen value chain—industry leaders, national and regional policymakers, researchers, infrastructure developers, and financial actors. The event is designed to serve not only as a platform for innovation but as a working forum for aligning strategies, identifying investment opportunities, and scaling up deployment across sectors.
Within this broader dialogue, hydrogen for maritime and inland logistics will feature prominently. Dedicated sessions and exhibitions will focus on the real-world applications of clean hydrogen in shipping, spotlighting pioneering initiatives like FLAGSHIPS that are helping to bridge the gap between research and market. Vessel operators, shipbuilders, and technology providers will share lessons learned from recent deployments, addressing both the technological hurdles and the policy frameworks needed to support wider adoption.
Hydrogen Week is also expected to highlight the role of small and medium-sized enterprises, whose agility and innovation have been key in shaping many of Europe’s hydrogen pilots. Their presence, alongside large-scale industrial actors, reflects a growing ecosystem with the potential to become a cornerstone of Europe’s decarbonization strategy. The ambition, however, goes beyond inspiration. By creating a shared space for knowledge exchange and collaboration, events like this reinforce the idea that no single actor—public or private—can decarbonize transport alone. It will require coordinated action, bold investments, and the continuous validation of new technologies in real operating environments.
FLAGSHIPS has shown what can be achieved when ambition is matched with collaboration and technical excellence. The task now is to ensure that these early successes are not isolated, but replicated and scaled to become the new standard. As the conversation on Europe’s hydrogen future continues in Brussels this autumn, the wake left by vessels like H2 Barge 2 and Zulu 06 will serve as a reminder: the course toward zero-emission waterborne transport has already been charted. What remains is to accelerate the journey.
REFERENCES:
- Mikkola, J., Bellot, A., Haxhiu, A., Angrisani, M. L., Laravoire, V., Saeter, H.-K., & Berg, P. (2021, October). FLAGSHIPS: Deploying Two Hydrogen Vessels in Europe – Design Phase. Paper presented at the SNAME Maritime Convention, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
- Haxhiu, A., Abdelhakim, A., Kanerva, S., & Bogen, J. (2022). Electric power integration schemes of the hybrid fuel cells and batteries-fed marine vessels—An overview. IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, 8(2), 1885–1905.
- FLAGSHIPS website: https://flagships.eu/
