Expected to enter service in September 2022, the 67-metre-long Ab Initio ship will be crucial in inspiring and promotion sustainable shipping applications to students.

To power the ship, Zepp.solutions will supply a 45kW maritime hydrogen fuel cell system that will be used to charge the battery system aboard the Ab Initio and be utilised as a range extender.

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The fuel cell system will be supplied with hydrogen by a 350-bar hydrogen storage system with a capacity of 35kg and in doing so, the solution will double the zero-emission range of the vessel.

Jan Kweekel, Member of the Executive Board of STC Group, said, “We are extremely happy and grateful for the support of the various parties that enable the application of green hydrogen on the new training vessel.

“We give our pupils and students the opportunity to become proficient in working with green hydrogen during their training. This knowledge and experience can come in handy during a career in the maritime transport sector that is constantly developing.”

Jonas Brendelberger, co-founder of zepp.solutions, said, “We are proud and grateful to contribute to the development of the Ab Initio.

“The cooperation with STC Group and Concordia Damen has so far been fantastic and we are looking forward to working with such a motivated team and driven yard. This project is a testament to zepp.solutions establishing itself as a trusted name in the hydrogen industry.”