The Klaipėda Port Authority, Western Baltic Shipyard, Baltic Workboats, and hydrogen technology company Genevos have officially launched Rasa, the world’s first waste collection vessel powered by a combination of green hydrogen and battery-electric propulsion. The milestone marks another major step in the decarbonisation of maritime operations and follows the recent opening of Lithuania’s first green hydrogen production and refuelling station at Klaipėda Port.
The 42-metre vessel was officially christened during a ceremony attended by the First Ladies of Lithuania and Estonia, highlighting the close cooperation between the two Baltic nations in developing next-generation maritime technologies.
Designed specifically for port operations, Rasa will collect bilge water, sludge and other waste from ships calling at Klaipėda while operating with zero direct emissions. Instead of conventional marine fuels, the vessel is powered by green hydrogen produced at the port’s newly commissioned hydrogen facility, combined with electric propulsion and advanced fuel cell technology.
The project demonstrates how hydrogen can decarbonise specialized maritime vessels that require long operating hours and dependable performance while eliminating greenhouse gas emissions during operation.
Construction of the vessel combined expertise from both Lithuania and Estonia. The hull was built by Western Baltic Shipyard in Klaipėda before being transferred to Baltic Workboats in Estonia, where the vessel was completed with its electrical systems, propulsion equipment, hydrogen fuel cell installation, and final commissioning.
The hydrogen power system—including fuel cells, storage tanks and control software—was supplied by Genevos, a company specializing in marine hydrogen propulsion systems.
Beyond introducing a new vessel, the project represents a broader strategy to establish Klaipėda as a regional hub for hydrogen-powered shipping. Earlier this year, the port inaugurated Lithuania’s first green hydrogen production and refuelling facility, creating an integrated ecosystem that produces renewable hydrogen locally and uses it to fuel zero-emission port operations.
Approximately one-quarter of the hydrogen produced at the new facility will be consumed by the Port Authority’s own fleet, with commercial hydrogen supply for external customers expected to begin later this year.
The €12 million investment is expected to serve as a demonstration project for ports across Europe seeking to reduce emissions from harbour operations. As environmental regulations tighten and demand for low-carbon maritime solutions grows, hydrogen-powered service vessels are increasingly viewed as a promising application where battery-only solutions may not provide sufficient operational flexibility.
