These are exciting times for inland shipping. Green Deals have been announced in Europe for "greening" of transport, with ambitious emission reduction targets in place. Meanwhile, the Corona COVID-19 crisis has turned the world upside down. The future looks more uncertain than ever, but one thing for sure, there will be a recovery, and it will be a green recovery. Green inland shipping will play a prominent role.
PortLiner is proud of its achievements so far and thrilled by the challenges we see for the future. We invite you to be part of our journey, towards sustainable inland transport along rivers and canals.
Our aim is “zero emission” inland shipping, deploying all-electric vessels equipped with flow batteries. PortLiner’s battery recharging strategy allows for additional battery deployment in electricity markets, as well as for mobile off-grid applications. PortLiner has identified flow batteries as a perfectly viable alternative for inland shipping, without the downsides of lithium-ion but with the upside of operational efficiency and competitive operational and investment cost.
In a joint study, the European Patent Agency and the International Energy Agency report an increase in battery research, in particular regarding flow batteries. The report, Innovation in batteries and electricity storage – a global analysis based on patent data, shows that batteries account for nearly 90% of all patenting activity in the area of electricity storage. (…)
The European Commission presented today its plan to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. This level of ambition for the next decade will put the EU on a balanced pathway to reaching climate neutrality by 2050.
Read more (in Dutch)
Following conservation and coating, the 135 metres hull was transformed into “PORTLINER ANNA”, in full PortLiner colours and logo.
This week, the Dutch minister of Transport reported briefly on the status of the 2019 Green Deal for Shipping. She confirmed that a the feasibility study on a EU Inland Navigation Green Fund would be completed after summer.
“Maritime by Holland”, the Dutch maritime platform connecting 12 maritime sectors including inland navigation, has published an open letter to the Dutch government urging for a joint recovery of the maritime cluster, with focus on sustainability: