Zero emissions on inland waterways?
A consortium has established Zero Emission Services (ZES), a Dutch enterprise aimed at making inland waterway shipping more sustainable. The founders of ZES are ING Bank, energy provider Engie, the Port of Rotterdam Authority and Wärtsilä.
The concept is based on the use of replaceable battery containers, to be known as ‘ZESPacks’. These will be charged using energy from renewable sources. A network of open access charging points will be set up for exchanging depleted battery containers for ready-charged replacements, thereby keeping waiting times to a minimum.
The project will initially be employed along the Zoeterwoude – Alpherium – Moerdijk corridor. Following this, it will be expanded to include the Amsterdam – Rotterdam – Antwerp corridor, making a connection to Nijmegen. The emphasis during the initial stage will be on converted and newly-built container carriers.
The shipper Heineken beer company has entered into an agreement with ZES to utilise the service for transporting beer from its brewery in Zoeterwoude to Moerdijk, thus becoming the first end customer for the enterprise. (mw)