As discussed in the IDTechEx report Electric Boats and Ships 2017-2027, there are several ways a boat or ship can be zero emission. It can be a fuel cell hybrid if the fuel is available where needed or pure electric where suitable charging is deployed. It can be an energy independent electric vehicle (EIEV) never needing fuel or charging stations.
Certainly in electrification the marine industry is a follower so we can to some extent we can learn what is coming from what is already happening elsewhere such as an increasing number of pure electric buses having one fifth of the battery because of top up charging along the route. Inland waterways are where this is practicable with the carrot of reduced capex and reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) and the stick of tougher emission restrictions against both local pollution and global warming. China therefore has its first ship for inland waterways - pure electric with fast charging stations deployed along its inland waterway.
Now comes another carrot - financial incentive
Inland navigation vessels with a zero-emission propulsion system newly receive a 20% discount on the inland harbour dues for the Amsterdam and Zaanstad port waters. This discount is granted to inland navigation vessels with a Green Award Platinum label. Amsterdam and Zaanstad are the first Dutch ports to reward this new label of the Green Award certification scheme. The new regulation entered into effect on 1 January 2018. Green Award, a certification scheme for inland navigation and sea-going vessels, introduced its Platinum label for zero-emission vessels in mid-December. Green Award certifies vessels with a better environmental performance than the minimum statutory requirements. The Port of Amsterdam became an Incentive Provider for the certification scheme in 2015, which at the time encompassed Bronze, Silver and Gold labels. Vessels receive a discount of between five percent (Bronze label) and fifteen percent (Gold label). Green Award has now supplemented these with the Platinum label. Marleen van de Kerkhof, Harbour Master of the Port of Amsterdam, is enthusiastic about this new label. 'We launched our vision on Clean Shipping on 1 November. Our objective is to promote the introduction of cleaner vessels. The new Platinum label is completely in line with our vision. We expect to welcome the first inland navigation vessel with a zero-emission propulsion system during the course of the next year.' Zero-emission propulsion systems contribute to more sustainable shipping. Vessels with electrical propulsion systems that are powered by batteries or fuel cells, such as hydrogen, do not emit CO2, SOx, NOx or PM - and contribute to the reduction of air pollution levels.
Marleen van de Kerkhof: 'I hope that other ports will soon join us in supporting this important initiative. We are all striving for cleaner and more sophisticated vessels. This includes Smart Shipping. Our joint efforts will result in the achievement of future-proof shipping.' With a population of more than 150,000, Zaanstad is the fifteenth-largest city in the Netherlands. Although part of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (AMA), it has its own distinct character. Combining heavy industry with a revitalised city centre, leafy green outskirts and unique industrial heritage, Zaanstad is one of the most diverse cities in the Netherlands. Port of Amsterdam is Western Europe's fourth largest port and plays a major role in the transhipment and processing of energy products. The North Sea Canal Area transhipped approximately 96.5 million tonnes of goods in 2016, with Port of Amsterdam accounting for approximately 79 million tonnes of this amount.
Now this incentive only requires zero emission propulsion but an important next stage is zero emission everything on a boat or ship. For example Beneteau worked with Valence Technology to replace the diesel engine on a leisure sailing yacht that is sea going with a lithium ion battery and electric motor for back up propulsion when using the sails is impractical but also working hotel and navigation facilities powere by the diesel even when moored. Even on boats and certainly on ships these electrical systems on boats and ships are microgrids often charged by several forms of tide, wind and solar power. On a large ship they even power desalination. For more see Desalination: Off Grid Zero Emission 2018-2028 and Off Grid Zero-emission Electricity 2018-2038: New Markets, New Technology Roadmap.
Top image: Port of Amsterdam
