Inland shipping must be completely CO2 neutral by 2050. With a concrete and operational model, Zero Emission Services, Inland Terminals Group and Nedcargo demonstrate that the future has already begun. In this unique collaboration, the parties share costs, risks and knowledge, thereby making battery-electric sailing scalable and attractive for the entire supply chain.
Inland shipping has been the backbone of the port of Rotterdam and the European economy for decades. Every year, 140 million tonnes of dry and wet bulk goods, general cargo and containers are transported to the hinterland via rivers and canals. It is an efficient and relatively clean modality. However, the sector is under pressure.

‘Inland shipping must become more sustainable,' says Marnix Vos, project manager at Nedcargo. ‘The sector has always had an advantage, as large volumes of cargo can be transported with relatively low fuel consumption, but other modalities are catching up. Road transport, for example, is innovating rapidly with electric trucks and more efficient engines. If we do nothing, we'll lose ground.' For the logistics provider, sustainability is a strategic choice. ‘Our goal is a wasteless supply chain. Emission-free sailing is just part of that.'

Making licence to operate more sustainable
This is also the opinion of Eduard Backer, CEO at Inland Terminals Group (ITG), which provides container transport to and from seaports including Rotterdam. ‘We operate intermodally, using our 17 inland terminals, giving us the largest network in the Benelux,' says Backer. According to him, inland shipping is extremely efficient: ‘Also for our clients in the hinterland. As a sector, we keep the ports accessible there, but that must be increasingly sustainable. On the one hand, that's due to regulatory pressure on harmful emissions, and on the other, because our clients themselves want and need to become more sustainable. In ten years, it will simply no longer be feasible to operate as we currently do if we want to handle today's container volumes. If we want to keep ports accessible, water is the only way to achieve that. It's the only viable option, as there is simply no room on land. By becoming more sustainable, the sector secures its licence to operate.'

Battery as fuel
Nedcargo and ITG are taking a bold step and investing in future-proof inland shipping. They have also found the perfect partner in Zero Emission Services (ZES), a company with Ebusco, ING, Wärtsilä and the Port of Rotterdam Authority as shareholders. Together, the partners are leading the way in sustainable inland shipping through the conversion of the container ship Den Bosch Max Groen to battery-electric operation between Den Bosch, Moerdijk and Maasvlakte. The Alphenaar was previously converted and has been sailing using ZES technology since 2021.

The ZESpacks developed by ZES are the core of this innovative technology. These standard 20-foot containers contain batteries that are charged with 100% green electricity at stations along major shipping routes. Sailing on these interchangeable batteries is clean, quiet and emission-free. ‘Precisely because we use standard containers, we create a scalable and interchangeable solution,' says Michael Beemer, CEO of ZES. ‘As a skipper, you don't have to wait until the battery is fully charged. You simply switch and continue. This makes this system very practical for shipping. An additional advantage is that the battery can be charged at the most convenient times. Theoretically, it’s possible to fully charge the battery within just three hours.'

The pay-per-use model adopted by ZES also offers advantages. Shipping companies do not have to invest in expensive batteries or infrastructure, they only pay for energy consumption. ‘They do have to invest in the conversion of the vessel, but with our support, they can apply for funding under the ship subsidy regulation, so part of the costs are covered,' says Beemer.

The latest generation of ZESpacks offers, among other things, higher capacity (2.9 MWh), improved energy efficiency, and the use of an MCS connector with 1 MW charging and unloading capacity.

Collaboration is the engine for success
The alliance between Nedcargo, ITG and ZES is unique on several fronts, with all three partners sharing the risks and committing themselves to making the concept a success. In this process, each of the three parties brings their own strengths.

As an energy supplier, ZES focuses on further developing battery technology and charging stations, and ensuring energy provision is as efficient as possible. Beemer notes, ‘Operational costs now exceed those of conventional vessels. Efficient use of batteries, optimisation of the charging infrastructure and scaling up are essential.'

Nedcargo operates the vessel and leverages its expertise in inland shipping and sustainable logistics, while ITG focuses on handling. The network of 17 inland terminals in the Netherlands and Belgium therefore provides a strategic platform for the further deployment of charging infrastructure. There are currently two charging stations: one in Alblasserdam and one in Den Bosch, which primarily handle exports for project supporter Heineken.

ZES is constructing more charging stations along the Trans-European Transport Network in the Netherlands and is expanding to Germany and Belgium. ‘Without a good network, the threshold remains high for shipping companies, yet the network cannot expand if too few vessels are battery-electric. We are trying to solve that chicken and egg problem,' explains Beemer. According to him, a 100% zero-emission inland shipping sector will only work if the entire chain participates. ‘Partnerships are crucial to achieve scale. Joining forces makes it affordable and reliable.'

‘The fact that we’re doing this together makes it special,' Backer adds. ‘Battery-powered sailing is still slightly more expensive, and few are willing to stick their necks out. You need pioneers who are willing to take risks and collaborate to make it happen. We're taking this step together, not only sharing costs and risks, but also knowledge. That’s what makes it effective.'

Learning from teething problems
As with any innovation, it is not without its challenges. ‘The most significant one was ensuring a stable connection on board. The MCS connector that we use is expected to become the standard – if all goes well – but it was originally developed for stable environments. In particular, communication with the onboard connector proved more sensitive to vibrations than anticipated. The crew also has to get used to the different handling characteristics of an electric vessel,' explains Vos.

‘It’s all part of pioneering,' Backer says matter-of-factly. ‘We’re learning how to deal with onboard vibrations, how best to cool the battery and when to change batteries. The knowledge and data we are currently collecting are of immense value to us, and to the next generation of electric vessels.' The partners are in no doubt that more emission-free inland vessels will follow.
Important advantage for shippers

The parties also see clear benefits for shippers. ‘They're now mainly focusing on their own distribution centres or production facilities. For them, transport emissions often still feel a world away. However, it's evident that those scope 3 emissions, which often constitute the largest part of their CO₂ footprint, will also need to be addressed. Ultimately, sustainability is necessary for everyone, and requires action by every link in the chain. It's therefore important to look ahead, especially as developments can take time. Now is the moment to move forward,' says Backer.

Vos adds, ‘For shippers, battery-electric shipping is a way to systematically reduce the environmental impact of their supply chain. Large companies such as Heineken, FrieslandCampina and Nike are already fully aware of this. Others will follow, and ultimately, regulations will make it mandatory for everyone.'

Costs and opportunities
The higher costs of electric sailing may still be a barrier at present, but according to the partners, this is temporary. ‘In a few years, the costs will be comparable,' Backer predicts. ‘Fuel prices are changing, batteries are getting cheaper, and economies of scale are on the horizon.' It also helps that clients are increasingly willing to pay for sustainable solutions. In addition, depending on volumes, ITG can also offer clients certified systems to offset their emissions or to directly enhance a vessel's sustainability. ZES can support this by assessing financial and operational feasibility on a case-by-case basis. ‘Parties can join existing pilots, reserve capacity with ZES, or structurally commit long-term volumes to enable scaling up,' explains Beemer.

The route to 2030
ZES has ambitious plans. The company aims to create dozens of emission-free shipping routes by 2030, with charging stations in Alphen aan den Rijn, Alblasserdam, Den Bosch, and soon in Rotterdam, Moerdijk, and other hubs. ‘We're building a comprehensive, nationwide network of charging stations and ZES-compatible vessels and are further extending the concept along national and international corridors. At that scale, battery-electric sailing will become a mainstream option for inland shipping in the Netherlands and beyond,' predicts Beemer. Specifically, this means multiple charging points in the port of Rotterdam and along TEN-T corridors, dozens of converted vessels and broader deployment of ZESpacks across port logistics and related energy-intensive sectors. To achieve this, ZES welcomes discussions with interested parties to assess the financial and operational feasibility of their specific case.

Nedcargo aims to further expand its electric fleet and already has several prospective clients. ‘We can now demonstrate that it works and how. The Den Bosch Max Groen proves that battery-powered sailing is reaching maturity,' says Vos. ‘For us, this is not an experiment but serious business.' In addition to the Den Bosch Max Groen, Nedcargo also operates two diesel-electric vessels. The fleet owner plans to convert those two vessels to electric propulsion at the earliest opportunity, depending on the results. ‘I'm confident this can be achieved within the next two years, although support from ITG will also be required,' Vos indicates. ITG, in turn, aims to have ten per cent of the fleet operating with zero emissions within five years. Backer adds, ‘We're on track for that. However, progress must accelerate, and more significant steps are required. Ultimately, we aim for electric inland shipping to become as commonplace as electric driving.'

From symbolism to systemic change
The concept and collaboration will be presented on 17 September at the ITG inland shipping terminal in Alblasserdam. There, ZES, ITG and Nedcargo offer a glimpse of the future of inland shipping. The presentation is more than a merely symbolic gesture. It signals that the partners, together with the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the national government, the province and the municipality, are not waiting until 2050, but are already implementing measures toward emission-free transport.

‘For us, this is the future,' Vos emphasises. ‘It gives us a competitive advantage, but more importantly, it's the right thing to do. We do what is necessary.'

Backer concludes with a clear message, ‘If we want to keep the ports accessible, inland shipping is the only viable way. It's simply no longer feasible by road, and that inland shipping must be emission-free. This project shows that it's possible – and that we're prepared for it.'
Source: Port of Rotterdam