Electric propulsion in the Dutch inland shipping sector

By Tom Scott

Ambitions for carbon neutrality come in many sizes. On the international stage, numerous countries around the world have declared their intentions to attain a state of net zero carbon emissions. This list is quite exclusive; comprising less than ten countries, including ‘big names’ such as Norway and Sweden as well as small low-lying island nations such as Maldives and Tuvalu. The Swedish government has taken the issue a step further than specified by the Paris Climate Agreement, using it as a springboard to pass legislations with even more ambitious goals.

It must be said, however, that these national ambitions can only be achieved with an all-inclusive approach. In other words, switching energy policies from coal to renewables is not enough to accomplish carbon neutrality. Emissions originating from transport and industry also have to be addressed.

In bringing the story back to the Netherlands, even though the Dutch government has yet to announce official aims for its zero carbon footprint, there are still signs showing that the country is taking steps towards a more sustainable future, if not yet full carbon neutrality. One notable example is the zero carbon footprint of the country’s train network; accomplished by using electricity gained from wind energy.

Considering the substantial size of the inland shipping fleet in the Netherlands, this is also a sector that has great potential for reducing its carbon footprint. The question to ask is: just how big a part will electric propulsion play in the future of maritime transport in the Netherlands? Part of the answer lies in the fact that cooperation between companies is leading to more sustainable transport. Sometimes subsidies are involved; as in the case with the 100 per cent battery powered Port-Liner vessels receiving a 7 million euro European subsidy. The so-called ‘Green Corridor’ is another pertinent example. An initiative involving 20 partners, including Nedcargo, the Port of Rotterdam Authority and Heineken, the overall ambition is to create a carbon neutral, economically sustainable transport solution between Zoeterwoude, Alphen aan den Rijn and the port of Rotterdam.

“We have an agreement with Heineken to transport containers from their brewery in Zoeterwoude to the Port of Rotterdam – with the goal to make this route carbon neutral,” says Bert van Grieken, managing director Nedcargo Multimodal, referring to the sustainable inland vessel Gouwenaar 2, which was launched in September last year.

For Van Grieken, increasing the sustainability of inland shipping is also a way to stay competitive. “Even though inland shipping is still seen as an efficient and ‘green’ mode of transport, we have to make sure that we don’t sit still – we have to keep developing. This is especially in light of the fact that the road transport industry is getting more and more technologically advanced in terms of sustainability. It is important to maintain inland shipping’s competitive edge. Moreover, climate change issues are very important to us. We feel the responsibility to address environmental problems.”

Nedcargo’s own sustainability goals, just like those of the small group of countries who have declared their intentions for carbon neutrality, are also not tied to regulations. “Our ambitions are to go much further than compliance with upcoming EU legislation for the inland shipping sector. We are working towards carbon neutrality – and there are no regulations set up for this,” he says.

To this end, electric propulsion features significantly in Nedcargo’s plans for the future. With the  Gouwenaar II, the company has made the conscious decision to develop it further. “This is a very important step, and therefore we have designed the vessel with a modular propulsion system. Electricity is currently generated by diesel generators, but we can replace these with batteries at a later stage without making modifications to the ‘heart’ of the ship; the propulsion line. We have that flexibility.”

Van Grieken concludes by pointing out the importance of a well-developed supportive infrastructure for an possible electric-powered inland shipping sector. “We might end up with a chicken and egg scenario,” he notes. “There will have to be sufficient infrastructure for charging vessels, but on the other hand there has to be enough demand in order to construct the infrastructure in the first place.”

With its DNV‐GL approved Lithium battery systems, EST‐Floattech is a major player in energy storage systems for the maritime sector. The company has realized a strong track record since its establishment in 2009, supplying battery systems to tugs, workboats, canal boats, yachts and ferries.

“We are close to the tipping point”

“Electric and hybrid propulsion in the Dutch inland shipping sector is still in the beginning phase”, says EST‐Floattech commercial director Paul van Wijk. “The situation with the inland shipping sector is that, apart from a few big players, many of the operators are small family businesses and self-employed entrepreneurs. Although they have insufficient resources to invest, they still know that they need to develop and become more sustainable in order to stay competitive and comply with upcoming regulations.”

Despite the lack of investment, inland shippers are still preparing for the future: “What we are currently seeing is that although new barges are being built as diesel-electric, they have the possibility at a later stage to install batteries.”

One of its most recent contracts of EST‐Floattech was for three multi-purpose vessels for the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment. Van Wijk: “For most of our clients, it will be their first project involving electric propulsion, but we can think along with them from the start to the finish of their project, and provide support during the conceptual design, detailed engineering and final installation on board the vessel.”

Although, compared to the automotive industry, electric and hybrid propulsion has kicked off slowly, companies like EST-Floattech see great potential in the inland shipping sector. “It is the most mature and sustainable method of propulsion, but like the automotive industry, people need to get used to the idea. What is also very important is the infrastructure on land shows the same development. Charging an electric vessel needs be done in an efficient way without causing congestion,” notes Van Wijk.

“The technology has proved itself though; the first test cases have shown that, in terms of maintenance and operations costs, there are even more benefits than predicted. Therefore people are less sceptical and see more of possibilities.” Taking into account that the lion’s share of life cycle costs for a conventional diesel powered inland vessel are taken up by fuel costs, the reduced OPEX of electric and hybrid vessels should counteract their greater initial investment. “If you compare today with three years ago, then electrification and energy storage in the maritime sector is on the verge of becoming really big”, Van Wijk concludes. “We are really close to the tipping point.”

This article was previously published in Maritime Holland magazine, issue 3, 2018