One of Belgium's largest carbon dioxide emitters, the port of Antwerp-Bruges, has started to test alternative fuels for its own sprawling fleet.
European laws are being introduced that require the maritime sector to cut emissions by at least 55 per cent over the next decade.
The EU's green transition has raised more questions than answers for many in Europe's maritime industry, with some relying on hydrogen while others prefer methanol as they move away from fossil fuels.
The second busiest port in Europe has adopted a strategy to diversify fuels.
Methanol, hydrogen and electricity-powered vessels are all due this year to join its fleet of 18 tugboats on the North Sea.
“We're trying to become a platform where innovation can be tested,” said port chief executive Jacques Vandermeiren at Tuesday's launch of the world's largest hydrogen-powered vessel, the 30-metre Hydrotug 1.
“Then we'll be able to compare and explain the benefits and drawbacks of each technology.”
Green tugboats are a “drop in the water” in Antwerp's green strategy, Mr Vandermeiren told The National.
By 2030, the port also hopes to capture about half of its 17 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year and store it in empty gasfields in the North Sea.
The port's carbon dioxide emissions, which are 10 per cent of Belgium's carbon footprint, come mostly from its petrochemical industry, which is the second biggest in the world behind Houston in the US.
But the port's green strategy also signals how complex the transition is for the shipping industry, which represents three per cent of global greenhouse emissions.
Ambitious political statements have so far indicated support but industry leaders are divided on what alternative fuels they should invest in.
The EU has thrown its weight behind efforts such as Danish shipping and logistics company AP Moller-Maersk's launch in September of the world's first methanol-enabled container vessel, the Laura Maersk.
“This event is a big deal, not only for Europe but for the whole world,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in Copenhagen.
She praised the Laura Maersk as the fruit of co-operation between private innovation and the EU's ambitious climate policies to become carbon neutral by 2050.
But Ms von der Leyen also highlighted the enormous challenge that lies ahead.
“The next priority is to secure green fuels … at scale,” she said.
The EU plans to produce and import 20 million tonnes of hydrogen by 2030.
The 'molecule of the future'
For CMB Tech chief executive Alexander Saverys, whose company owns Hydrotug 1, hydrogen is the “molecule of the future”.
One of the oldest Belgian shipping companies, CMB Tech shifted in 2017 to hydrogen fuel and launched in 2021 the first hydrogen-powered ferry in Japan in collaboration with local shipbuilding company Tsuneishi.
Now, with Hydrotug 1, the company wants to show that it can fulfil clients' request to reduce carbon emissions.
The tugboat is equipped with dual-fuel engines that will run on average at 65 per cent on hydrogen and the rest on diesel.
After leasing it for operations as part of its fleet for two or three years, Antwerp-Bruges port will decide whether it wants to buy Hydrotug 1, which costs 30 per cent more than traditional diesel-fuelled tugboats.
The port has also bought a so-called metha-tug from a Dutch company that it will begin using in the second quarter of next year. This will be followed by an electricity-powered tugboat.
This implies an increase in operating costs for the port but for now they will not be handed down to customers.
“We'll see how we absorb the costs and how we sell our old ships – it needs to be ambitious but also realistic when it comes to price and technology,” Mr Vandermeiren said.
The aim is to experiment with these “fuels of the future”, said port spokesman Lennart Verstappen.
“We don’t know what will work best or how cost will evolve.”
At CMB Tech, hydrogen is viewed as the way forward in comparison to battery-fuelled ships, which struggle with high speed or heavier cargo. Methanol is less green than hydrogen, because relying on biomass raises questions about its source, Mr Saverys said.
“Hydrogen is the molecule of the future to green the maritime sector,” he told The National.
“We need to prove that it works and is safe so that we can move forward and run thousands more such ships.”
But there are limits to hydrogen's use in the maritime sector.
It is highly flammable and hard to compress, meaning that for long-haul trips across continents, it is preferable to transform it into ammonia, an option that is under consideration at CMB Tech.
There is also not enough hydrogen in the market, an issue often referred to as a “chicken and egg” problem that slows down investments.
These are obstacles also faced by CMB Tech.
“The biggest issue for us is the price and availability of hydrogen”, Mr Saverys said.
Hydrotug 1 runs on 415kg of hydrogen a day, which is produced locally near the port and can last about 24 hours.
CMB Tech has ordered another 40 other hydrogen-fuelled ships, including a 200,000-tonne bulk carrier – at least 50 times bigger than Hydrotug 1.
The company is acutely aware that much more hydrogen will be needed than is produced at Antwerp port and has plans to import it from Namibia and possibly the Middle East.
“Our ultimate goal is to run bulk carriers on hydrogen,” said Mr Saverys. “But we have to start bottom-up.”
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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More on animal trafficking
Landfill in numbers
• Landfill gas is composed of 50 per cent methane
• Methane is 28 times more harmful than Co2 in terms of global warming
• 11 million total tonnes of waste are being generated annually in Abu Dhabi
• 18,000 tonnes per year of hazardous and medical waste is produced in Abu Dhabi emirate per year
• 20,000 litres of cooking oil produced in Abu Dhabi’s cafeterias and restaurants every day is thrown away
• 50 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s waste is from construction and demolition
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The years Ramadan fell in May
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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West Brom: Livermore (79'), Rondón (88' )
Liverpool: Ings (4'), Salah (72')
The years Ramadan fell in May
More on Coronavirus in France
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
More from Neighbourhood Watch
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The specs: 2018 Kia Picanto
Price: From Dh39,500
Engine: 1.2L inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Four-speed auto
Power: 86hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 122Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0L / 100km
Company profile
Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018
Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: Health-tech
Size: 22 employees
Funding: Seed funding
Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
On sale: now
Read more about the coronavirus
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
