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Van Oord, in collaboration with ZEDHub, Smart Delta Drechtsteden, the Municipality of Dordrecht, and the Port of Rotterdam, successfully conducted a groundbreaking pilot project with the fully electrified crane vessel Christiaan P.—a first in the dredging industry. This emission-free vessel provides valuable insights that will help drive the industry towards complete sustainability.
The pilot project took place in the seaport of Dordrecht and was partly financed by the Regio Deal Drechtsteden-Gorinchem. Thanks to the successful collaboration between companies and government, this initiative demonstrates how joint efforts and innovation can lead to sustainable solutions in the maritime sector.
Owned by Van Oord’s subsidiary Paans Van Oord, the Christiaan P. is primarily used for marine engineering, including dredging and shoreline protection projects. Before the pilot, the vessel underwent a major transformation—its conventional engines were replaced with electric motors, and a new electric crane was installed.
To power its operations, the vessel utilized two DENS Powerhub mobile battery systems, each with a capacity of 870 kWh. These batteries were charged overnight using the shore power point in Dordrecht. Additionally, a Nexus fuel cell and a hydrogen storage container were installed onboard, enabling charging even when shore power was unavailable.
Throughout the pilot, extensive research was conducted on the efficiency and practicality of battery-electric dredging. Measurements included energy consumption at different sailing speeds and dredging intensities, as well as battery charging methods via shore power and onboard generation. The project also explored the feasibility of continuous charging using hydrogen while in operation.
The trials and tests were highly successful, and the data collected is now being analyzed. These findings are crucial not only for Van Oord but for the entire maritime sector, as they will help accelerate the transition to zero-emission operations. Cor Paans, Manager of Paans Van Oord, expressed his pride in the team: “We are extremely proud of our engineering team for flawlessly executing this pilot. Thanks to their expertise and the collaboration with suppliers and partners, this project marks a significant step towards our sustainability goals.”
Arjen de Jong, Director of ZEDHub, added: “This project demonstrates how industry, education, and government can work together to accelerate the energy transition in dredging. By sharing our learnings with the Dutch dredging sector, we can help the entire value chain progress.”
With the success of this initiative, Van Oord continues to lead the way in sustainable maritime innovation, paving the path for future zero-emission projects.
News Source- https://www.vanoord.com/en/updates/successful-pilot-emission-free-dredging-crane-vessel-christiaan-p/
