JERA Nex bp commissions hydrogen refuelling station for offshore wind ships 

The aim of the demonstration project in Ostend is to help fill a gap in the flow of green hydrogen from production to maritime users such as vessel owners, and act as a proof of concept for decarbonising offshore wind at sea.

During its demonstration phase in 2025, the refuelling station in Ostend will provide green hydrogen to a hydrogen-powered crew transfer vessel (CTV), Hydrocat 48, which is owned and operated by Windcat, although the facility has the capacity to refuel several vessels a day.

The hydrogen refuelling station was developed by JERA Nex bp under the EU-funded Implementation of Ship Hybridisation (ISHY) programme, which focuses on the development and validation of hybrid and hydrogen technologies in shipping and ports. 

The ISHY programme is part of the EU’s Interreg 2 Seas initiative, which finances transnational projects in climate adaptation and low carbon technologies and is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. By demonstrating the viability of fuelling vessels with green hydrogen, ISHY aims to significantly reduce emissions and promote climate-neutral shipping in Europe.

JERA Nex bp led the development of and demonstration activity for the refuelling station in collaboration with over ten partners — including industrial stakeholders and research institutions — and with coordination support from the Port of Ostend. Haskel served as the main contractor, leading the construction of the project. The green hydrogen currently used in the project is produced from renewable electricity in France and Germany, supplied by Lhyfe.

“Research and innovation are at the heart of how we approach the full life cycle of offshore wind projects,” said JERA Nex bp head of global O&M. Kristof Verlinden. “By investing in projects like this, we’re accelerating the shift toward cleaner, smarter offshore operations and proving that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand.”

As part of its broader R&D strategy, JERA Nex bp is pursuing multiple innovation tracks aimed at improving the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of offshore operations. These include the development of predictive maintenance systems for offshore infrastructure, aquaculture integration, and lightweight materials for maritime transport — all supporting the global transition toward a sustainable offshore energy ecosystem.