Your working groups quaterly update (spring '25)

Standardisation

Our colleagues from the 'Standardisation' working group have been working for several years on establishing standards as part of the 'Condor'-project, which was launched a few years ago under the RH2INE network. In the meantime, this project has also been officially recognized as a working group within RH2INE.

The original goal of Condor? Remove major hurdles inland shipowners encounter when switching to hydrogen-electric ships before 2030 to achieve operational, technical and financial feasibility of zero-emission H₂ ships before 2035. Hard work, continuous dedication, and a strong belief in hydrogen pay off. An agreement has been reached on main design parameters that will allow tanktainer swapping between different ships and refueling at various hydrogen suppliers. The input will be delivered to CESNI in order to ensure that the parameters will be widespread.

Curious yourself? Consult them via the download below. Can’t wait? Some interesting highlights on the main design parameters can be found in the picture below.

In the upcoming months, the working group on standardisation will focus on establishing a reference combination of a tanktainer and energy compartment, followed by a thorough risk assessment to ensure safety and performance. Building on this foundation, the working group will design an optimized tanktainer with enhanced safety features and an energy compartment that meets all technical specifications. Validation by a classification society will be key to ensuring compliance, after which the tank ID will be officially registered. Once these steps are completed, the final phase will involve construction and seamless integration into operational hydrogen shipping. Build it and swap it!

Market Development

The Market Development working group operates under the umbrella of Condor Zero-Emission—alongside the Standardization working group. What initially started as a temporary project, simply called Condor, is now evolving into a structured network under the new title Condor Zero-Emission. At present, significant efforts are being made to define a new mission, a multi-year program, and a dedicated budget. The ambition is to secure funding from the Dutch government to support this transition. We hope to bring you positive news on this development in our next newsletter!

At its core, the program aims to unlock the hydrogen market for inland shipping. While hydrogen expertise is readily available and a few vessels have already taken to our waterways, a major challenge remains: bridging the gap between suppliers and end users.

To overcome this hurdle, securing operational expenditure (OPEX) funding is crucial. The team is targeting the Dutch Climate Fund, aiming to have 200 hydrogen-powered vessels operational by 2030. However, the financial investment required is significant—ranging from €500 000 to €8 million per ship, leading to a total estimate between €100 million and €1,6 billion. In addition to funding, Condor Zero-Emission is exploring opportunities in key submarkets, including consumer brands, sand and gravel transport, and sustainable fuels. By identifying specific market triggers within these industries, they aim to accelerate market activation and drive real change in the sector.

Port infrastructure

The fifth workshop in the H₂ Port Infrastructure series took place earlier this spring, bringing together around 50 participants — including experts, port representatives, and other interested parties — for an engaging online session.

Highlights of the programme included a presentation of the H₂-Ports Rhineland-Palatinate study, commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture, as well as key findings from the H₂ port infrastructure compendium survey. The agenda continued with expert talks on a range of topics, such as the legal framework for hydrogen, planning for multihub infrastructure, a hands-on case from the Port of Hamburg, systemic perspectives on port development, and training programmes for hydrogen handling.

In March, the working group also joined the Danube Commission's Expert Meeting on the Development of Ports and Port Operations. The event provided valuable insights into ongoing projects along the Danube, strategic developments, climate and energy goals, and cross-border legal and organisational challenges. Strengthening connections with neighbouring waterways is key to harmonising technology standards — and avoiding technical roadblocks in the process.

Save the date! On 17 September 2025, the working group will host a final event in Mainz. Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, feel free to get in touch with TSB-Energie’s working group leader, Maren,  if you have questions or ideas to share.

Tanktainer Pool Company

The working group for the establishment of the tanktainer pool company is in full swing. Every month, a dedicated team of ten experts gathers to shape the future of this NewCo. Interested steering members and partners were given the opportunity to put their visions, ambitions, and concerns on paper—an invaluable pre-input that laid the foundation for the next steps.

Now, at the drawing board, ideas are -slowly but surely - coming to life. Different perspectives are being brought together, all with one shared goal: to create a shared tank container pool system that enables multiple parties to efficiently transport hydrogen, reducing costs and streamlining distribution.

The initial meetings have already helped refine the scope of the NewCo, but the thinking cap stays on. Key questions—such as shareholder structure, company size, and operational framework—are still up for debate. Fortunately, the working group is packed with seasoned experts ready to tackle these challenges.

Oh, and if you’ve got a brilliant name for the NewCo, don’t hesitate to share your suggestion via this link.

Subsidies

We’re bringing investors together with expert guidance to secure the funding needed to keep things moving forward. Right now, all hands are on deck to prepare an application for the European Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) fund. WaterstofNet is taking the lead on this effort, supported by consultancy firm Leyton.

Bilateral discussions are taking place to align the expectations of all parties involved. These expectations are then translated into concrete project objectives and activities.  But one thing is certain: The project should aim to provide a financial boost for establishing the tanktainer pool, along with the necessary infrastructure and tanktainers.

A solid project proposal should be ready to be submitted to CEF in June. We’re hopeful that we’ll be able to share some good news in one of the upcoming newsletters. Fingers crossed!

Policy

The Policy working group is dedicated to ensuring a unified voice for hydrogen shipping in Europe. On board we have our ports, our governments  and some international businesses. By aligning efforts on EU regulations, the group aims to create a level playing field for hydrogen compared to diesel.

WaterstofNet takes the lead, and is actively monitoring the implementation of major various policy frameworks (including FuelEU Maritime, ETS II, and the Act of Mannheim) together with some of the working group members. A current key action point is to map out these existing policies that support zero-emission (ZE) shipping, ensuring they align with the needs of the sector and contribute to a level playing field for hydrogen.

Furthermore, to strengthen its advocacy efforts, the group is also working on a competence matrix. By identifying these key expertise areas, we want to streamline policy engagement and strategic alignment with European regulations. To be continued!