Keel was laid for Neo Orbis, the first vessel in the world to sail electrically, operating on hydrogen, at the Port of Amsterdam.
The keel-laying event of Neo Orbis, a pilot vessel for the H2Ships assignment, took place at Dutch shipbuilding firm Next Generation Shipyards.
H2Ships aims to demonstrate the economic and technical feasibility of hydrogen bunkering and propulsion needed in shipping, identifying conditions for a market entry for technology.
Neo Orbis is expected to serve as the flagship for Amsterdam port, with trial sailing set to get started by June 2023.
The Neo Orbis is expected to enter service in 2024 and will serve as a scale-up for short sea, dredging, inland shipping, offshore, and patrol and naval vessels.
Next Generation Shipyards was reportedly contracted over last summer to construct the ship, and, according to information, the development is set to be completed toward the end of 2023’s second quarter.
Source: Safety4sea
