Cleaner inland shipping delivers major social benefits
According to the CLean INland SHipping (CLINSH) consortium, investing in cleaner inland shipping will yield significant social benefits in the coming years. These include benefits for public health and biodiversity conservation through improved air quality due to reduced emissions of polluting substances, particularly nitrogen and particulate matter. Ship owners need financial support to invest in cleaner technologies. The social benefits of this are many times greater than the investment costs. CLINSH also advocates for the establishment of a European greening fund.
Cleaner inland shipping and better air quality
Emission-free technologies are envisioned for the future in inland shipping, such as battery-powered electric propulsion and hydrogen. However, the CLINSH consortium advocates investing in readily available measures for the existing inland shipping fleet in the coming period. These investments can improve air quality in the short term. The "CLINSH scenario" shows, among other things, that the social benefits of reducing emissions, particularly nitrogen and particulate matter, amount to €4,9 billion in the coming years. These benefits significantly exceed the investment costs (€1,3 billion) and the additional total costs for ship owners (€760 million) during this period.
In addition, the CLINSH consortium recommends investing in shore-based power in locations where moored ships currently cause degraded air quality and noise pollution with their diesel generators. The abolition of energy tax on shore-based power should create a level playing field with onboard power generation using untaxed diesel.
European Green Fund for the transition period to zero emissions
Studies conducted by CLINSH show that replacing engines with modern Stage V engines over the next 10-15 years will be beneficial from a social perspective in many cases. In other cases, the use of aftertreatment technology such as SCR catalysts and particulate filters, or the use of GTL fuel, is an effective measure. To transition the period to widespread use of zero-emission To bridge the gap between technologies for European inland shipping, the recommendation is that Europe, through a greening fund for inland shipping, financially support ship owners of existing vessels to enable them to switch to Stage V engines, aftertreatment technologies, and clean fuel.
Measurements in practical situations
The CLINSH project measured inland shipping emissions in practice for two years. Forty-three inland vessels operating throughout Western Europe participated in the project. Various technologies and alternative fuels were used on these vessels, and emissions were measured. Measurements were also taken along the Rhine and in several German ports.
Based on the measurements, CLINSH has developed emission factors to map the effects of inland navigation on emissions and air quality in several regions. This involves examining existing navigation patterns. The methodology is available to port authorities, local and regional authorities. They can use the CLINSH research to assess the impact of measures to green inland navigation and to answer policy questions.
About CLINSH
CLINSH is a European consortium that promotes clean inland navigation. Dutch, Belgian, German, and British public and private organizations collaborate within CLINSH. On September 1, 2016, the CLINSH consortium launched the CLINSH project with a grant from the European Union's LIFE Fund. CLINSH's main goal is to improve air quality in urban areas by accelerating emission reductions in inland navigation.
New Energy Coalition is a partner in the CLINSH consortium and has contributed to communication, the development of financing instruments and participation in the Steering Committee.
