Turn of an era in European inland navigation?
It is a coalition of the willing. DeltaPort Niederrheinhäfen, Eon and the Rotterdam Port Authority are joining forces to create the conditions conducive to switching inland shipping in Germany and Europe from diesel to battery and hydrogen drives.
The companies agreed to develop an infrastructure so that freight and passenger vessels with climate-neutral propulsion can exchange battery containers or refuel hydrogen in the ports. The partners' aims are climate protection, improved air quality and a long-term optimisation of logistics costs.
Initially, the pilot concept will focus on the German inland port Delta Port in Voerde und Wesel, which will be developed into a sustainable port network as part of the Eco Port 813 project. The concept shall be so designed that it can be taken over by other ports in Europe at a later stage.
In Wesel, aluminium manufacturer Trimet will contribute its waste heat, which Eon can use to produce new energy. The infrastructure will ensure that vessels, trains and trucks can refuel hydrogen in the port or reload their batteries. This will make even the last mile green and carbon-free. (mw)
https://deltaport-niederrheinhaefen.de