zepp.solutions was selected as the fuel cell system supplier for the NERA-H2 project. This initiative, largely funded by the Dutch Maritime Master Plan, aims to introduce hydrogen as a clean energy source in the river cruise industry by developing a fully zero-emission demonstration vessel.
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.
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. 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 specialized 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 digitalization research. Shipowners and industry partners ensure the technology’s feasibility for real-world maritime operations.
