Innovation Lab
The EICB Innovation Lab, a partnership currently comprising twenty-eight inland shipping stakeholders, is a platform that focuses on making the inland shipping sector more sustainable. The focus is on the pre-competitive development of technical solutions and the removal of barriers in the areas of safety,
legislation and regulations, and necessary subsidies with a view to the economic feasibility of new technologies and the use of renewable energy.
The challenge
The inland shipping sector faces a major challenge: sustainability is desirable and necessary, but far from easy to achieve. The market is organized on a small scale, and the fleet consists of many unique vessels with different routes and types of services. Inland waterway engines often last for decades. Investments therefore have a long lifespan and require a sound long-term vision. It is often unfeasible for individual entrepreneurs to independently gain a good overview of the possibilities and consequences of making ships more sustainable. This requires direction and guidance towards the desired sustainable solutions for the sector.
Addressing this challenge requires smart and effective collaboration. By sharing knowledge and expertise, individual entrepreneurs can effectively take steps toward sustainability. And by joining forces, we can make the inland shipping sector future-proof.
From idea to innovation: the creation of the Innovation Lab
In 2012, the Inland Shipping Expertise and Innovation Center (EICB), the Port of Rotterdam Authority, suppliers, and inland shipping companies took the initiative to set up an innovation platform. The initial focus was on reducing air pollutant emissions (NOx and particulate matter), but since 2015 this has been broadened to include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2.
The Innovation Lab was established to accelerate sustainability efforts. Twenty-eight parties are now working together here on concrete innovations for sustainable inland shipping.
Why the Innovation Lab?
The goal of the Innovation Lab is clear: to contribute to reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from inland shipping.
We do this by:
Facilitating the use of renewable energy or energy with low CO2 emissions. Facilitating air pollutant emissions such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter.
These objectives are in line with important policy frameworks and agreements, such as the Green Deal for Inland Waterway Transport, the Climate Agreement, the EU Green Deal, the Clean Air Agreement, and the Maritime Agenda.
Sustainability requires more than just technology. It is also primarily about stimulating and facilitating legislation and regulations, financing, certification, and the impact on business operations. This is precisely what the Innovation Lab focuses on: creating the right conditions for actually applying and rolling out innovations in the inland shipping sector.
Our approach
Within the Innovation Lab, public and private parties work closely together in the pre-competitive phase of technology development. This means that we jointly identify innovations that are sufficiently developed from a technical perspective (Technology Readiness Level 7-9) and work together to investigate what is needed for successful application and rollout.
We organize central think tank meetings in which we discuss the course and progress with the parties involved. In addition, substantive work is carried out in two working groups, clean combustion and electrification.
Clean Combustion Working Group
This working group focuses on improving and expanding combustion techniques, with a focus on both the applicability of renewable fuels and further reducing air pollutant emissions.
The focus is on:
The use of renewable diesel (such as HVO and FAME) and renewable alternative fuels such as methanol and green hydrogen in combustion engines.
Reducing emissions of NOx, particulate matter, and other air pollutants.
The working group applies a broad interpretation of the EU Taxonomy as a framework and considers all solutions that contribute to emission reduction—not just fully zero-emission technologies.
Electrification Working Group
The second working group is looking at the opportunities and preconditions for electrifying ships. Both hybrid and fully electric propulsion systems are being considered. Hybrid systems are seen as a sensible intermediate step towards fully electric and emission-free sailing.
How is the Innovation Lab organized?
The Innovation Lab is supported by the joint efforts of partners, both in terms of content and financially. Many contributions are made in kind, and there is also support from the province of South Holland and the Port of Rotterdam Authority.
The central think tank and working groups provide structure, knowledge sharing, and focus. Together, we are working to create an inland shipping sector that is sustainable, innovative, and economically strong.
Partners
The Innovation Lab is made possible in part by: Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Province of South Holland.