It has been developed by the State of Hamburg’s Ministry for Urban Development and the Environment in cooperation with eight partners, each of whom has contributed specialist know how to the EU backed project.

Operation of the new €1.3m ship had originally been planned for July but was delayed by propulsion adaption problems and by delays in the delivery of equipment and parts. Jens Wrage, MD of owners STG Alster Touristik said, 'We are entering new territory with this ship. It’s normal that some aspects cannot be realised as planned.'

The engine plant cost €2.3m and comprises two PM 600 Proton Motor fuel cell stacks producing nearly 50kW each. They provide what was described as 'an efficient and robust hydrogen fuelled fuel cell system, especially designed for use in ships and boats'. Packaging and functional design were adapted to GL standards for maritime use.

For operation by STG Alster Touristik on Hamburg’s lakes and waterways, the new steel and aluminium ship is 25.5 m long, 5.2 m wide and stands 2.63m above the waterline. It’s roof can be lowered to 2.3 m to pass under low bridges.

Unnamed as of early this month, it displaces 72 tons, draws just 1.3 m loaded and is capable of 14 km/hr. Its cells need tanking up every 2 to 3 days at a €750,000 liquid hydrogen service station operated by Linde on a site provided by the Hamburger Hochbahn. The station is also part of the Zemship project.

By Tom Todd