PRESS RELEASE / World premiere hydrogen dredger vessel

HELION Hydrogen Power will supply its fuel cell to the shipbuilder PIRIOU to equip the future hybrid hydrogen dredger ship of the Occitanie Region, a world premiere

HELION Hydrogen Power, and the shipbuilder Piriou signed a contract in Sète (Hérault) to integrate a fuel cell system into the future hybrid hydrogen dredger ship ordered by the Region.

As part of the renewal of its fleet of vessels and in order to continue to reduce the environmental impact of dredging activities, the Region has decided to acquire a hybrid hydrogen dredger ship, named HyDrOMer, in 2021. The only one of its kind in the world, it will be used to maintain the depths of the three regional ports.

The Piriou Group, which won the tender from the Occitanie Region in June 2021, is in charge of building this vessel designed in partnerships with the French naval architecture office LMG Marin. This project is strategic for the shipyard, which confirms its position as a leader in non-carbon propulsion vessels.

HELION Hydrogen Power will supply its hydrogen fuel cell, FC-Rack ^TM, a modular, containerised brick designed specifically for high power and marine applications. This 200 kW hydrogen generator, integrated in a 15-foot container, will be housed on the deck of the ship, next to the gas storage required to operate the fuel cell.  

This hybrid engine will eliminate all emissions from the ship when it is at berth, offering the possibility of switching off the diesel engines while continuing to support daily activities on board for the crew. It will also provide part of the energy needed to operate the vessel at sea, during dredging and beach nourishment operations.

Photo credit: 

©PIRIOU shipyard - HyDrOMer, Drague hybride à hydrogène de la Région Occitanie