Waterway Transport in Rotterdam Port Innovates with Battery-Powered Shipping
The partnership between Nedcargo, Inland Terminals Group, and Zero Emission Services (ZES) is revolutionising inland shipping, demonstrating that battery-powered sailing is no longer just an experiment but serious business. The Den Bosch Max Groen, a container ship recently converted to battery-electric operation by this alliance, serves as a testament to this maturing technology.
The challenge in battery-powered sailing lies in maintaining a stable connection on board, particularly with the MCS connector, which was originally designed for stable environments. However, the partners have successfully addressed this issue with the latest generation of ZESpacks. These innovative containers, charged with 100% green electricity, offer higher capacity, improved energy efficiency, and an MCS connector with 1 MW charging and unloading capacity.
Inland shipping in the port of Rotterdam transports 140 million tonnes of goods annually, making it a significant contributor to the region's carbon emissions. This partnership sees clear benefits for shippers, as battery-electric shipping is a way for them to systematically reduce the environmental impact of their supply chain.
The knowledge and data collected from this collaboration are invaluable, especially for the next generation of electric vessels. The partners are learning how to deal with onboard vibrations, how best to cool the battery, and when to change batteries.
Eduard Backer, CEO at Inland Terminals Group, operates intermodally using 17 inland terminals, giving them the largest network in the Benelux. Backer believes that inland shipping must become increasingly sustainable to secure its license to operate. Marnix Vos, project manager at Nedcargo, echoes this sentiment, stating that inland shipping must become more sustainable to compete with other modalities.
The higher costs of electric sailing are temporary, and in a few years, the costs will be comparable to diesel or other fuel sources. Larger companies such as Heineken, FrieslandCampina, and Nike are already aware of this, and others will follow. The alliance between the three partners is unique, with all parties sharing risks and committing to making the concept a success.
The crew needs to adapt to the different handling characteristics of an electric vessel. Regulations will eventually make it mandatory for everyone to address scope 3 emissions, which often constitute the largest part of a company's CO2 footprint.
ZES aims to create dozens of emission-free shipping routes by 2030, with charging stations in Alphen aan den Rijn, Alblasserdam, Den Bosch, and soon in Rotterdam, Moerdijk, and other hubs. This ambitious goal underscores the partners' commitment to making battery-electric sailing scalable and attractive for the entire supply chain.
In conclusion, the partnership between Nedcargo, Inland Terminals Group, and Zero Emission Services is paving the way for a more sustainable future in inland shipping. With the Den Bosch Max Groen as a shining example, the industry is taking a significant step towards reducing its carbon footprint and becoming a more environmentally friendly mode of transport.
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