First Fuel Cell Boat Cruises Amsterdam’s Canals

(Reuters, December 9, 2009) Amsterdam — Emitting only water vapour and gliding silently through Amsterdam’s centuries-old canals, a canal boat — a popular tourist attraction — powered by fuel cells made its debut cruise on Wednesday. The “Nemo H2,” which can carry about 87 people, is the first of its kind designed specifically to run on a fuel cell engine, in which hydrogen and oxygen are mixed to create electricity and water, without producing air-polluting gases.

“That’s important in a city like Amsterdam with over 125 canal trips per day,” said project manager Alexander Overdiep.

A boat trip around Amsterdam’s concentric semi-circles of canals is a popular tourist pastime in the Dutch capital.  Click here to read more…