Zepp.solutions, a Dutch pioneer in hydrogen fuel cell technology, has been chosen as the fuel cell system supplier for the NERA-H2 project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at introducing hydrogen as a clean energy source in the river cruise industry. The project, largely funded by the Dutch Maritime Master Plan, will develop a fully zero-emission demonstration vessel, marking a significant step forward in the decarbonisation of maritime transport.
With cities such as Amsterdam, Basel, and Vienna enforcing increasingly stringent emissions regulations for vessels, the river cruise sector faces a major sustainability challenge. The NERA-H2 project seeks to address this by retrofitting existing vessels with a hydrogen fuel cell-based propulsion system, accelerating the energy transition within inland waterways.
Zepp.solutions will supply the fuel cell systems used in the retrofit of an existing cruise vessel with a fully modular hydrogen and battery-electric drivetrain. The hydrogen fuel cell systems will deliver a power output exceeding 1MW, using Zepp’s X150 fuel cell modules – a system that has already proven itself in heavy-duty applications such as hydrogen-powered trucks.
The NERA-H2 project is a first step toward the large-scale adoption of hydrogen technology in the river cruise industry. With over 420 river cruise vessels operating in Europe and increasingly strict emissions limits, the opportunity for retrofitting ships with sustainable powertrains is substantial.
Jonas Brendelberger, co-founder of zepp.solutions, stated: “We are proud to contribute our fuel cell expertise to this ambitious project. The maritime sector’s decarbonization efforts must focus not only on newbuild vessels but also on upgrading existing fleets. NERA-H2 presents a well-structured approach, and we look forward to the collaboration.”
The Dutch Maritime Master Plan aims to deploy at least 40 zero-emission ships by 2030. Insights gained from the NERA-H2 project will be widely shared, paving the way for further industry-wide adoption of hydrogen propulsion and accelerating the transition to a zero-emission maritime sector.
The project is led by The NERA Company B.V., bringing together a consortium of specialised partners. Research institutions such as MARIN and TNO are conducting technical validation and further development of the propulsion technology, while the Arnhem and Nijmegen University of Applied Sciences focuses on energy storage and digitalisation research. Shipowners and industry partners ensure the technology’s feasibility for real-world maritime operations. Zepp.solutions provides the hydrogen fuel cell systems and contributes its expertise in onboard hydrogen system integration.
