--- title: "The World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Cargo Vessel Is About to Set Sail" description: "A French company is developing the world's first hydrogen-powered cargo transport vessel that is set to make its debut some time later this year." date: "2021-04-07" modified: "2021-04-07" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/worlds-first-hydrogen-powered-cargo-ship-set-sail" categories: - "Science & Energy" tags: - "cargo ships" - "hydrogen fuel" - "hydrogen power" - "the digest" --- # The World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Cargo Vessel Is About to Set Sail ![A French company is developing the world's first hydrogen-powered cargo transport vessel that is set to make its debut some time later this year.]() *\Image: Flagship Project\* ## Hydrogen Vessel A French company is developing the world's first hydrogen-powered cargo transport vessel, which is scheduled to make its debut some time later this year, [*Renewable Energy Magazine* reports](). The boat, built by Compagnie Fluvial de Transport (CFT), is set to be deployed on the river Seine in Paris and will use compressed hydrogen produced from electrolysis as its sole power source. The vessel is designed for inland water routes only and is not designed to sail the oceans. "The demand for more sustainable technologies in inland waterway transport is on the rise," Matthieu Blanc, director of CFT, told the magazine. "As part of the [Flagships project](), we are happy to be leading the way on reducing emissions from transport and demonstrating the superior features of hydrogen fuel cells in waterborne applications." ## Big Polluters Ocean-navigating cargo ships have revolutionized world trade over the last 50 years in many ways — but they have also become a huge contributor to harmful greenhouse emissions. Most ships run on "bunker fuel," which emits even more carbon dioxide and fine carbon particulates than burning refined fuel. Overall, they're the [second-largest contributor to climate change](). The Flagship project was awarded just shy of $6 million in funding in 2018 from the European Union's Research and Innovation program, called Horizon 2020, intended to further research into hydrogen-fuel cargo transport. One hydrogen powered concept vessel is already sailing in Paris, while two additional vessels are currently under construction. To convert much larger seafaring cargo ships to hydrogen power could pose a substantial logistical challenge. Fossil fuels are far more energy dense, taking up less space on ships. Making refueling stops could also bring up the cost of operating a cargo ship significantly — but still, the vessel is an intriguing concept. **READ MORE:** [World’s first hydrogen cargo vessel set for Paris debut]() \[*Renewable Energy Magazine*\] **More on hydrogen power:** *[This is the World’s First Home Hydrogen Battery]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()