Air Products (AP) through its legal entity in Spain, Carburos Metálicos, recently has been named the Official Hydrogen (H2) Supplier of the 37th America’s Cup to be held in Barcelona in 2024. The America’s Cup is the pinnacle of international sailing competition in which teams from around the world compete for the oldest trophy in international sport, dating back to 1851.

For the first time, H2 will be used to power chase boats, which follow the AC75 race yachts in the race. Each challenger competing in the America’s Cup is required to have one H2 fuel cell chase boat that supports the team during the competition.

The decision to use chase boats powered by hydrogen fuel cells supports ongoing efforts by the America’s Cup to decarbonize support activities at sea. The defending champion Emirates Team New Zealand’s ‘Chase Zero’ will be the first to use a H2 boat, during the Preliminary Regattas, which will begin on September 14.

To support the event, AP has installed a mobile hydrogen refueler at the Port of Barcelona where company technicians will fuel the boats for the competition.