The Prins ZEs is the Netherlands’ first fully emission-free crane vessel, developed by Van den Herik-Sliedrecht. This floating crane installation is used for dredging and maintenance of banks and waterways. The onboard power is supplied by hydrogen. By converting hydrogen into electricity via fuel cells, the vessel can operate without combustion and without emissions.
The Prins ZEs combines a battery capacity of approximately 2 MWh with hydrogen fuel cells that can generate up to 3,600 kWh of electricity daily. This allows the vessel to sail and operate electrically for a full workday, without being dependent on shore power or charging stations along the water.
“The Prins ZEs proves that innovation and responsibility go hand in hand,” says Isolde Struijk, director of Van den Herik. “Sustainability is of strategic importance to our family business.” With this technology, we are not only taking a technical step, but we are also demonstrating that sustainability is feasible, even in a sector that traditionally consumes a lot of energy.’
Photo of Rijkswaterstaat
Press release (translated by Google) https://www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/nieuws/archief/2025/10/duurzame-oplossingen-in-de-praktijk-emissieloze-schepen-varen-uit
