CHAMWE KAIRA
Cleanergy Cleanergy Solutions Namibia has revealed that the first hydrogen-powered ship in Africa will be ready in two years’ time.
The company together with CMB.TECH, Port of Antwerp Bruges and Namport, plans to launch the first hydrogen-powered ship in Africa. Currently, the company is in the process of finalising the technical design of the vessel in a team work between CMB.TECH, Cleanergy, PoAB and Namport.
“We believe that a period of about 24 months is required before the vessel can be delivered to Namport. Financing of the project will come from various sources -own equity, bank and other finance,” it said.
Cleanergy Solutions Namibia, is a joint venture between the O&L Group and CMB.TECH also disclosed that the green hydrogen which will be produced locally at its facility near Walvis Bay will be available to the entire Namibian market. The trucks will only absorb a small part of the total production capacity, the company disclosed this week.
Responding to questions from Observer Money, the company said Cleanergy hydrogen refueling station is a public station and will be accessible and open for all hydrogen users and applications.
Cleanergy believes that hydrogen will reach a business case within five years. “Today we want to bring the technology into the country and show that the molecule can be produced in Namibia. This experience is key before scaling up.”
Commenting on the current state of the Cleanergy Green Hydrogen plant at Walvis Bay and when it will become fully operational, the company it is now in the middle of the installation phase. “For some parts we have already started the commissioning phase.”
Observer Money also probed the company whether it has plans to start selling dual-fuel trucks in Namibia. Cleanergy Solutions Namibia confirmed that dual fuel trucks will be one of the applications that Cleanergy is targeting.
“With the support of the local MAN dealer, we will offer the dual-fuel truck to the Namibian market in due course. We are currently in close contact with the authorities for final approval of the hydrogen technology.”
On other promises that the company has made like port equipment, railway applications and small ships, the company responded that it plans to use a 500bar mobile refueller to refuel the port equipment and small ships. Railway will be refuelled by swapping a hydrogen storage container, filled with hydrogen cylinders, the company said.
“Both the mobile refueller and the swappable H2 containers will be filled with green hydrogen in the two filling docks installed at Cleanergy’s plant.”
Regarding the plans for the port of Walvis Bay, the company said in the North Port of Walvis Bay, the aim to install an ammonia storage tank with a bunkering facility which can be incorporated into the existing fuel jetty.
