Medusa 2 Hydrogen powered dredging becomes reality

In a groundbreaking demonstration, Nedstack partnered with Boskalis to bring clean maritime power into practice. The Medusa 2 project, conducted in the Port of Rotterdam, showed how hydrogen fuel cell technology can meet the demands of heavy marine operations. This pilot project marks a key moment in the transition toward zero emission dredging.

The Medusa 2 is more than a pilot. It is proof that the maritime sector can move forward without emissions.

The Medusa 2 is a floating crane pontoon that was upgraded with a fully electric crane powered by a hydrogen based fuel cell system from Nedstack. The power system consisted of two standard containers. One container carried compressed hydrogen. The other contained a complete PEM fuel cell system built for continuous operation under dynamic loads. Together, they delivered clean electricity for lifting and dredging activities on board.

Dredging is a demanding task. It involves high power peaks, frequent starts and stops, and continuous load variation. Nedstack’s fuel cell system met all these conditions without any loss in performance. It provided a stable and efficient power supply throughout the trial.

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The project generated several important findings.

• A single hydrogen container kept the crane operational for about three working days
• The fuel cell system performed reliably under real workload and power fluctuations
• Hydrogen handling and safety protocols worked as intended during vessel operations
• The system integrated smoothly into the existing equipment and safety setup of Boskalis

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This pilot confirms that hydrogen fuel cells are not only suitable for maritime use, they are already deployable. The Medusa 2 operated in live conditions and delivered real results. It proved that fuel cell technology can withstand the complexity of near shore marine operations while eliminating noise and emissions.

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With this project, Nedstack strengthens its position in clean maritime energy. We bring over twenty five years of experience in PEM fuel cell technology and continue to scale solutions for marine, industrial and grid connected applications.

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