Minister Van Nieuwenhuizen (Infrastructure and Water Management) is earmarking 11,7 million euros to support inland shipping skippers and shipowners in making their fleet more sustainable. The national government reports this on their website. The money is intended for the purchase and installation of newer and cleaner marine engines. In addition, the government will make 65 million euros available over the next five years to equip inland vessels with SCR catalytic converters. This contribution is part of the measures that are being taken to reduce nitrogen emissions.

Minister Van Nieuwenhuizen: “Inland shipping is crucial to transport our goods in a sustainable and efficient way, to prevent road congestion and to strengthen our international competitive position. As a sailing nation, let's set a good example and take a serious step towards a sustainable future with this injection. ” 

Sailing with sustainable engines is important to make inland shipping more sustainable. The engines emit less, save fuel and make less noise. Because the purchase and installation of new, clean engines is expensive, Van Nieuwenhuizen will allocate 2021 million euros to support the sector in the period 2023-11,7. Shipowners and skippers can receive a contribution of up to 200.000 euros to adapt their ships.

Nitrogen approach

Between 2021-2025, 65 million euros will be made available to equip existing engines of inland vessels with SCR catalytic converters. An inland vessel with an SCR catalytic converter emits up to 80 percent less nitrogen. After 2025, the cabinet will invest another 14 million euros in this so-called 'retrofit' of inland shipping vessels. The contribution for the purchase and installation of catalytic converters is part of the structural nitrogen approach; the cabinet's package of measures to reduce nitrogen emissions. Applications for clean engines and SCR catalytic converters can be submitted to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.

Development of clean engines

The support for making inland vessels more sustainable follows the scheme for the development and production of cleaner ship engines, which was published at the end of last year. With this subsidy, manufacturers and developers can receive a contribution of up to 250.000 euros. In total, 2020 euros was available in 500.000 and 2021 million euros in 1 for the development of cleaner engines. Manufacturers can apply for the subsidy until March 16, 2021.

Green Deal

Inland navigation makes an important contribution to the shifting of freight transport from road to water and to the reduction of emissions. The financial support from central government stems from the Green Deal for Maritime, Inland Shipping and Ports concluded in 2019, in which the National government, provinces, ports, maritime industry associations, shippers, carriers, banks and knowledge institutions are joining forces to make shipping more sustainable.

Also read: Groningen Airport Eelde starts with sustainability

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