Heralding a new age of green transportation, the Netherlands is ready to unleash its first all-electric, zero-emission inland cargo vessel, Den Bosch Max Groen, by spring 2024. This drastic move is a major stride towards decarbonization, firmly thrusting Europe’s crucial inland shipping industry to the forefront. The cargo ship, a brainchild of Nedcargo, is undergoing a conversion at the renowned Concordia Damen shipyard, which had initially crafted the vessel back in 2020.
The Transition from Fuel to Electric Drive
Originally powered by a diesel motor, the 295-foot vessel will function solely on an innovative swappable battery system. The ongoing transformation involves replacing the old diesel generator with autonomous batteries stowed in a conventional 20-foot modular energy container. As the ship sails, exhausted batteries will be replaced with fresh ones, ensuring interrupted operations. These power packs, named ZESpacks, are designed by Zero Emission Services (ZES), boasting the ability to be recharged in as short as three hours.
Innovative Charging Stations and Pay-per-Use Billing
To ensure smooth battery swapping, ZES is constructing a network of strategically-positioned 1 MW charging stations. Instead of idling during recharge, vessels will swap out depleted units to continue their operations, working with unrivaled efficiency. Another noteworthy feature of ZES’s system is its unique pay-per-use billing model, setting it apart from conventional charging techniques.
Re-entry and Enhanced Power
The revamped Den Bosch Max Groen is slated to commence its operations in April 2024, powered by a second-generation battery system. Boasting increased power and improved connectivity, this new system will mark the ship as the first to solely operate via battery power. Established in 2020, ZES is a celebrated partnership involving the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the financial powerhouse ING bank, energy and technical service provider ENGIE, and maritime technology colossus Wärtsilä. Financial support for the development of these charging stations, including a station at the BCTN terminal in Alblasserdam, is being provided by the Netherlands’ National Growth Fund, to the tune of €50 million.
Transition Towards Green Maritime
The ambitious project, besides garnering a subsidy from I&W Greendeal for Nedcargo’s conversion expenses, aims to convert a whopping total of five inland cargo vessels to this battery power system. Designed with a cargo capacity of 132 TEU, the ship primarily carries goods for the globally renowned Heineken between Rotterdam and Den Bosch. Notably, Nedcargo reports shipping approximately 2.5 billion bottles of Heineken to the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp annually. The volt-aided transformation is projected to significantly slash emissions each year, reducing a staggering 715 tonnes of CO2 and 13 tonnes of NOx, making this venture herald the onset of a green revolution in maritime transport.
