30.10.2008
Crossing the Alster lake without emissions
The first Zemships conference has taken place in Hamburg
The Zemships conference, which took place within the H2Expo, presented first results of the early development and operation phase of the fuel cell passenger ship.
Around 120 participants from more than 14 nations attended the conference and followed the presentations of the speakers. Managing director of the HOCHBAHN subsidiary hySOLUTIONS and chairman of the conference Heinrich Klingenberg was very happy about the active participation in the conference. “Hamburg is the capital of hydrogen applications in Germany. This can also be supported by the fact that it is Hamburg, where the first fuel cell passenger ships for regular line service is tested now. More over it is proof that we are indeed very recognizable on a world wide base regarding the use of this technology."Zemships is the short term for „zero emission ships“. At the centre of the project the development and operation of a fuel cell passenger ship and the corresponding hydrogen refuelling station is focused. Nine partners are involved in the project. In August 2008 the testing of the FCS “Alsterwasser” and the refuelling station has started. According to Managing Director of the Alster Touristik GmbH, Gabriele Müller-Remer so far the results toped her own expectations. "FCS “Alsterwasser” is not only positively embraced by our staff and passengers, but more over we have been very pleased with the technical reliability of the ship”. ATG as well as hySOLUTIONS a subsidiary of HOCHBAHN offers since 1977 charter and channel tours as well as tours on the Elbe river to its customers. More than 450.000 passengers annually take advantage of this attractive offer by ATG."
The protection of the very sensible inland water, the Alster, is part of the ATG company policy. The FCS “Alsterwasser” is next to the solar propelled “Alstersonne” the second environmentally ship that is used now by ATG for public services across the Alster. The savings on emissions are substantial. Around 1.000 kg of Nitrogen oxide, 220 kg of sulphur oxide, 40 kg of particular matter and more than 70.000 kg of Carbon dioxide will approximately be avoided within the Alster lake area by using the fuel cell passenger ship. Beginning in 2009 the FCS “Alsterwasser” will be fully integrated within our line service. This will contribute to further releases of ecological stress within the Alster lake area. Managing Director Gabriele Müller-Remer stated quite sure on the Zemships conference:” The FCS Alsterwasser will not be the only ship of its kind.”
