Nike announced the launch of the H₂ Barge 1, the first-ever hydrogen-powered inland container ship, that will transport the company’s products for Europe between Rotterdam and Nike’s European Logistics Campus (ELC) in Belgium, while producing zero operational CO2 emissions.

Originally a diesel barge, Nike said that it retrofitted the vessel with hydrogen technology to replace its combustion engine, with the barge now emitting only humid air and clean water. The barge will begin operation in June.

The company added that by using green hydrogen and fuel cells, it expects the barge to reduce CO2 emissions annually by 2,000 tons.

According to Nike, the launch of the barge forms part of a series of steps the company is taking to address the carbon footprint of its logistics operations, as the company works towards its 2025 sustainability goals, which include targets to achieve a 70% GHG emissions reduction in owned or operated facilities through 100% renewable electricity and fleet electrification, and to reduce absolute emissions from key suppliers’ manufacturing and transportation operations through the use of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and alternative fuels.

Additional initiatives the company is taking include shipping 99% of inbound containers to ELC by water, eliminating 14,000 truck journeys annually, testing hydrogen trucks for customer deliveries in Europe, increasing electric van deliveries, reducing its use of air freight, and diversifying its distribution footprint to get product closer and faster to consumers.

Noel Kinder, Nike’s Chief Sustainability Officer, said:

“We know the odds of success increase when we approach a problem together with ingenuity and grit. As we move toward 2025, our resolve is steady, and we’re in it for the long haul, committed to progress over perfection as we continue to create solutions and leverage our influence to build momentum and move the world forward through sport.”