In a groundbreaking initiative, the Netherlands is set to witness the operation of a fully emission-free inland waterway vessel from April 2024, thanks to the conversion of battery containers by Zero Emission Services (ZES). Following the launch of the initial electrically powered ship, Den Bosch Max Groen, four more vessels are slated to traverse Dutch inland waterways between Den Bosch, Maasvlakte, and Moerdijk.
The 90-meter-long Den Bosch Max Groen, the first of its kind on the Den Bosch-Maasvlakte-Moerdijk route, will transport containers for Heineken and other clients. Notably, this marks the second inland vessel to undergo electrification using ZES battery packs, with the Alphenaar being the pioneer in 2021, operating between Alphen aan den Rijn and Moerdijk on behalf of the Heineken brewery.
The transformation of this key Dutch inland shipping route is a collaborative effort involving Inland terminal operator BCTN, a subsidiary of the Inland Terminals Group (ITG), Nedcargo, and Zero Emission Services (ZES). The trio is dedicated to achieving emission-free operations along vital corridors and accelerating sustainability within inland shipping, emphasizing a collaborative approach across the entire logistics value chain.
ZES’s battery packs, integral to the decarbonization of these ships, boast a three-hour charging time with a 1 MW charging system scheduled for installation at the BCTN terminal in Alblasserdam in Q1 2024. Additional charging stations are set to be established in Den Bosch (BCTN terminal), Moerdijk, and the Prins Johan Frisohaven in Rotterdam shortly thereafter.
Eduard Backer, CEO of Inland Terminals Group, expressed the ambition to lead in greening inland shipping, citing the electrification of Den Bosch Max Groen as a crucial step. Marnix Vos, Project Manager at Nedcargo, emphasized the urgency of achieving zero emissions in inland shipping by 2050 and the necessity of taking proactive measures now.
ZES, established in 2020 as a joint venture committed to zero-emission inland shipping, operates on a unique business model involving the rental of exchangeable battery containers to shipping companies. With a goal to pioneer 30 emission-free shipping routes by 2030, ZES provides a comprehensive service package encompassing charging stations, green electricity, technical support, and a pay-per-use payment concept for ship owners.
