The student team from the Delft University of Technology is entering their sleek "foiling boat" -- meaning it is lifted out of the water on three pillars -- in this year's "Energy Boat Challenge" in Monaco.
They say their creation "Mira" is the first hydrogen-powered foiling boat to compete in the race, which aims to showcase innovative energy technology for shipping.
"We want to show that sustainable solutions are already possible in the maritime industry," team leader Olivier Poelman told AFP at the champagne launch in The Hague.
"And if a team of 25 students can do it, then the bigger companies can implement these sustainable changes as well in the maritime sector," the 21-year-old said.
Shipping accounts for nearly three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming, according to the United Nations' shipping body, the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The IMO is trying to decarbonise the industry, aiming to cut emissions by at least 50 percent by 2050 compared to 2008 levels.
Hydrogen sounds like a promising solution on paper: while fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases, burning hydrogen leaves only water vapour.
But it has not yet lived up to its promise, with several much-hyped projects globally struggling to overcome high costs and engineering challenges.
- 'Inspire the maritime industry' -
Hydrogen's climate credentials also depend on how it is produced.
"Green hydrogen" uses renewable energy while "blue hydrogen" relies on fossil fuels such as coal and gas, with carbon-capture technology to reduce emissions.
The cheapest is "grey hydrogen", which is produced by fossil fuels without carbon capture.
Poelman said his team tries to use green hydrogen but acknowledged that "most of the infrastructure is still grey hydrogen".
"We try to source as much as possible from green hydrogen through partners of ours or other companies that are involved," he said.
One major problem is scaling up the technology for use in container ships in a cost-effective manner, but Poelman was confident that innovation could drive down the price.
"For now, it might seem a bit expensive and very difficult," he said. "But once companies really start to pick it up, I really believe that the innovation gathered from that can make it a bit easier."
Poelman and his team hope to win their class in the Monaco competition, which puts sustainable boats through their paces in terms of speed, endurance and manoeuvrability.
"But the bigger goal is to inspire the maritime industry," he said.
"We just really want to show that there are green options out there that are already possible. And we want to show that the bigger ships can also do that."
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