Dhamma Blue demonstrates green hydrogen refuelling for boats at the Port of Alcudia

The demonstration, carried out at the Port of Alcudia with the support of the Balearic Islands Port Authority, integrates local production, transportation and consumption of green hydrogen in Mallorca.

For the first time in the Balearic Islands, Spanish company Dhamma Blue has carried out a green hydrogen refuelling operation at a port for its recreational boat, in a pioneering technological demonstration developed with the support of the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB).

The operation took place at the Port of Alcudia using the DHB-P01, the first Spanish recreational boat powered by hydrogen, through a compact refuelling dispenser developed by German-origin engineering company Argo-Anleg, which specialises in hydrogen technology.

The green hydrogen used was also produced locally in Lloseta, Mallorca, by Power to Green Hydrogen Mallorca, thereby demonstrating the potential to close the local energy cycle for maritime mobility by integrating the different stages of the process, production, distribution and consumption, within the hydrogen ecosystem in the same territory.

The refuelling point, located at the Port of Alcudia near Alcudiamar Marina Resort, will supply the DHB-P01 until the 27th of September. During this period, the boat will continue to carry out zero-emission navigation trips and port refuelling demonstrations.

The inaugural event was attended by Jorge Martín Jiménez, Director of Operations and Environment at the APB, who presented the environmental strategy and the project to develop a hydrogen ecosystem in the Balearic Islands.

The event also brought together representatives of the Balearic Energy Institute (Institut Balear de l’Energia), professionals involved in the design of port facilities, investors and other stakeholders interested in energy innovation and the decarbonisation of maritime transport.

The APB’s environmental strategy includes, among other objectives, reducing the environmental impact of maritime transport, developing alternative energy generation and energy-efficiency solutions, and positioning its ports as benchmarks in environmental management. Among the results highlighted in its strategy is a reduction of 645 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent between 2021 and 2024.

Dhamma Blue’s demonstration, in turn, brings these objectives into the field of maritime transport and recreational boating, demonstrating that hydrogen refuelling can be integrated into real port environments.

“This project confirms that hydrogen for maritime applications is already an operational reality. Dhamma Blue has led, coordinated and financed this initiative, bringing together the stakeholders required to make the first green hydrogen refuelling operation for a vessel in Mallorca possible,” said Robin Imaz, co-founder of Dhamma Blue and technical lead for the project.

During the event, Philippe Esposito, President and co-founder of Dhamma Blue and DH2 Energy, one of Spain’s largest renewable hydrogen developers, highlighted the importance of developments in the European and Spanish regulatory framework in reducing transport emissions.

“This summer, Spain took a very important step by incorporating into its national legislation the European targets for reducing emissions and sustainable fuel consumption established by the RED III Directive. This framework also covers coastal shipping and sets out a pathway of targets that will begin to drive new solutions for maritime transport. This will provide positive momentum for the industry and for the development of alternatives such as hydrogen,” he explained.

The key feature of the DHB-P01 is its hybrid propulsion system, which combines electric propulsion with a hydrogen-powered fuel cell. This configuration provides an approximate range of 65 nautical miles at 12 knots, with a top speed of 28 knots.

The hydrogen stored on board combines with oxygen in the fuel cell to generate electricity to power the motor, enabling quiet, zero-emission navigation.

Dhamma Blue is already working on the next generation of its technology to develop solutions for different segments of maritime transport, including passenger vessels, water taxis, workboats and support vessels.