Rhenus Group’s hydrogen ships receive awards for sustainable inland shipping

Rhenus is celebrating another breakthrough in sustainable shipping: the first of the company’s three barges with hydrogen and battery-electric propulsion not only received the Platinum Label for environmentally friendly shipping, but was also awarded the Innovation Award for Inland Navigation by the Allianz ESA 2024 in September for sustainable concepts. After a successful testing phase, it has been confirmed that the ship meets all construction and safety requirements and is therefore ready to start regular operations on European waterways.

The ‘Mannheim I+II’, the Rhenus Group’s first inland vessel with hydrogen and battery-electric propulsion, is the first push barge combination in the world to receive the exclusive platinum label. This award has so far only been given to 19 European inland waterway vessels and underlines the outstanding innovative strength and commitment of the Rhenus Group to a sustainable future in shipping. In addition, the ship has been awarded the Green Award in the Gold category – proof of compliance with the highest environmental standards.

In September 2024, the Rhenus Group and its subsidiaries Rhenus PartnerShip and Contargo received an award for sustainable concepts in shipbuilding and trimodal transport. This award recognizes the groundbreaking technology and the contribution to more environmentally friendly shipping in inland transport.

The ‘Mannheim I+II’ has successfully passed the road test after undergoing extensive trials. For example, zigzag and crash-stop maneuvers were carried out to ensure the vessel’s stability and safety. At the same time, several push barges were towed to determine the maximum tonnage of the push barge combination that the vessel is allowed to transport.

The test phase was carried out in close collaboration with the expert from Lloyd’s Register, Office Rotterdam, to also meet the requirements for the approval of dangerous goods for container transport. The ship has now received a provisional certificate of registry and has started its first voyage with several containers towards the end of 2024.