In 2050 a large part of the Dutch fleet will be emissions-free to both water and air. Dutch shipowners will sail the seas and oceans in a sustainable manner and focus on the 100% clean transport of cargo and passengers.
Source: MARIN
1. ADJUSTED SAILING BY ENERGY EFFICIENT USAGE OF SEAGOING VESSELS
Shipping is the most sustainable way of transporting goods, however the way in which we use vessels can be more energy efficient. Training and guidance of crew members can positively change on-board behaviour and contribute to economic and environmental gains. One of the examples is slow steaming. Optimisation of the entire value chain from port to port is needed so ships can sail ‘just in time’. Where water and quay meet optimal processes create a more effective flow and therefore less emissions. The maritime sector flourishes only when there are enough strong links present. Those links include shipowners, shipbuilders, suppliers, knowledge institutes, ports, shippers and financiers. The KVNR enhances an ambitious dialogue with its supply chain partners to stimulate efficient processes in ports by embracing innovation. New ship designs are important as well, for all kinds of boats and in particular workboats.
2. ADAPTED VESSELS ENHANCE REDUCED EMISSIONS AND THEREFORE HAVE A SMALLER IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Seagoing vessels age well. That can be seen as sustainable, but it also means that existing vessels are less flexible to sustainable innovations. For example, major refits can only be carried out whilst in dry dock. The shipowners that are part of the KVNR do their utmost to modify their fleet during its lifetime and with that strengthen their ‘license to operate’.
In addition to major refits, minor adjustments also contribute to reduced emissions. To this end, data collection is very important to understand what changes are effective. The KVNR pro-actively seeks the cooperation with ports, shippers and governments to reward the more sustainable vessels and to stimulate the use of those ships. This also includes alternative business models to reshape the maritime industry.
A dialogue between shipowners, governments and financiers about ownership, beneficial rights and use of alternative materials is very helpful. Shipowners are open to explore the options of recycling materials by integrating the philosophy of circular economy when building new vessels and to make use of alternative materials when building new ships. Last but not least, shipowners do what they can to mitigate their impact on their environment below and above water.
3. ALTERNATIVES: FUELS, PROPULSION AND MATERIALS (PILOTS TOWARDS ZERO EMISSION)
Knowledge institutes like TNO and MARIN show the path to development for shipowners. They do this in close cooperation with parties in the fuel industry and with maritime suppliers. Research into the possibilities of different propulsion technologies and/or alternative fuels is performed to see how emissions of greenhouse gases can be reduced. Furthermore, pilot projects are set up together with shipowners. New propulsion systems and alternative fuels create a clean and sustainable shipping sector that is able to reach its 2050 targets.
An infrastructure that facilitates new energy carriers at key places in Dutch and foreign ports is of great importance. To make sure that new vessels adapt quickly to new technology, new (and, as much as possible, recycled) materials and new designs are introduced in cooperation with shipowners.