Northern dutch maritime industry becomes global player ‘green’ ships

The maritime industry in the Northern Netherlands is pooling all its knowledge and capabilities to take on the technological challenges and become a global player in “green” clean shipping and digital shipbuilding. A consortium of 21 technology developers, shipping companies, shipyards, suppliers, laboratories, universities of applied sciences, and the University of Groningen is receiving a first European grant of 1.4 million euros to support these developments, so Conoship in a press release.

The “Green Maritime Coalition”, initiated by the Groninger Maritime Board and Conoship International, is planning to lead the way in the transition to large-scale zero-emission shipping and digital shipbuilding. This process aims at industrial development and application of techniques such as hydrogen propulsion, VentiFoil-wind propulsion, Redox Flow full electric propulsion, Ship Based Carbon Capture, and Storage, and robotization of production processes.

Green maritime coalition

“The energy transition provides the innovative Northern Dutch maritime industry great opportunities to become a global player in developing and delivering “green” technologies for clean shipping,” says Guus van der Bles, Director Development of Conoship International. “Cooperation between technology developers, shipbuilders, ship-owners, and knowledge institutes is essential for this, in combination with robotization of ship-production to build the innovative zero-emission ships in the Northern Netherlands. The support from the Province, EFRO, and SNN will stimulate this cooperation and accelerate regional innovations and development”.

Dutch shipping industry wants thirty emission-free ships by 2030

The Dutch maritime sector wants to become a world leader in the field of sustainable shipbuilding and shipping.

1,4 million

On Wednesday, 13 July, deputy of the Province of Groningen IJzebrand Rijzebol handed over a cheque to the initiators of the innovation project: 1.4 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund (EFRO). “The maritime industry in the Northern Netherlands is innovative and strong and of great importance for employment. In the coming years, this industry will direct and make the transition to sustainable shipping. I am pleased that this challenge is being taken up in a unique collaboration between business and knowledge institutions. A Northern maritime innovation ecosystem could develop into an employment powerhouse.”

Ship stores own CO2 emissions while sailing

The Rotterdam-based Value Maritime claims to be the first in the world to be able to capture and store CO2 while at sea.

Initial project partners of the Green & Digital Maritime Innovation Ecosystem Northern Netherlands: Conoship International B.V., MSN B.V., Holthausen Clean Technology B.V., eCONOwind B.V., Bouman Industries B.V., Bijlsma Wartena B.V., Doze Management B.V., Koninklijke Niestern-Sander B.V., Eekels Technology B.V., Cadmatic B.V., Wijnne & Barends’ Cargadoors- en Agentuurkantoren B.V., Wagenborg Shipping B.V., ROC Friese Poort, Stichting NHL Stenden Hogeschool, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.

Photo: a futuristic cargo ship from Conoship with sustainable propulsion

Innovative Groningen Archives

Read other stories about innovative projects in Groningen here.