NPRC to use hydrogen-powered barges
(Posted on 04/02/21)
In a joint project, Covestro and the logistics service provider Nederlandse Particuliere Rijnvaart Centrale Cooperative (NPRC) plan to convert the salt transport fleet on the Rhine to hydrogen powered ships.
NPRC is a front runner in sustainable transportation. With 135 members, the cooperative generates revenue of 90 million per year. Every day, approximately 200 vessels are in operation for NPRC, transporting 12 million tons of dry bulk cargo, containers and break-bulk cargo on European inland waterways. This makes NPRC the largest Dutch provider of inland waterway transportation and the third largest provider in Europe.
The project is part of the RH2INE Initiative (Rhine Hydrogen Integration Network of Excellence) of the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Dutch province of South Holland. The aim is to establish a climate-neutral transport route on the Rhine-Alpine corridor, which will contribute to the implementation of the European "Green Deal". Covestro and NPRC are supporting the development of a hydrogen infrastructure at ports and loading stations along the Rhine to help accomplish this. The first two zero-emission ships are scheduled to operate between the Netherlands and Covestro's three Lower Rhine sites as early as 2024.
“We want to anchor the principle of Circular Economy within our entire company and produce in a greenhouse gas-neutral way in the long term. This also involves the continuous reduction of indirect emissions, where we want to implement innovative solutions together with strong partners such as NPRC," explains Dr. Klaus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer of Covestro AG. The logistics sector is particularly relevant here. This is because transport is the only sector in the European Union (EU) where emissions have risen rather than fallen since 1990. This is where the RH2INE Initiative, which Covestro and NPRC have now officially joined as supporters, comes in.
"This collaboration is a wonderful example of the opportunities that arise when all stakeholders in the supply chain are committed to sustainability. The reliable partnership with Covestro provides our cooperative of independent inland shipping entrepreneurs with a solid basis to take on the significant investment that the switch to zero-emission transport requires. This form of shared responsibility for the supply chain is the future for innovation in logistics," says Femke Brenninkmeijer, CEO NPRC.
Salt is the most important raw material in terms of transport volume for Covestro sites in North
Rhine-Westphalia. As part of RH2INE, Covestro and NPRC gradually want to make the transport of
this raw material emission free. To this end, the partners initially plan to put two hydrogen-powered
barges into operation from 2024, with more ships to follow. The initial focus will be on the technical
and economic feasability of the project. As part of this process, the technical design of the hull will
also be optimized so that the ships can be used during low water. The feasibility of using green
hydrogen from Covestro's own chlorine electrolysis to refuel the inland waterway vessels is also
being investigated.
Latest News
King Willem-Alexander and King Philippe to open new Terneuzen lock
(Posted on 12/09/24)The Kings of the Netherlands and the Belgians will open the New Lock in Terneuzen on 11 October. Barry... Read more
Bilbao promotes port services for trade in agri bulk
(Posted on 12/09/24)UniportBilbao and the Port Authority of Bilbao have again attended the Duero International Grain Exchange... Read more
PD Ports invests in specialist bulks tipper truck fleet
(Posted on 09/09/24)A £1m investment in five specialist bulks tipper trucks has strengthened PD Ports’ services... Read more
Wärtsilä’s pivotal role in developing Singapore’s NGVTMS
(Posted on 08/09/24)Technology group Wärtsilä has been awarded the prototyping tender for the revolutionary Next... Read more
Porthos lays foundations for future European CCS projects
(Posted on 08/09/24)Construction of the Porthos CCS (carbon capture and storage) project in the port area of Rotterdam is... Read more
New middle east rail logistics offering fast-tracked
(Posted on 03/09/24)Noatum Logistics, an AD Ports Group company and a leading logistics provider serving the globe across... Read more
PD Ports 10 year contract extension with global chemical giant Venator
(Posted on 03/09/24)PD Ports is delighted to have secured a new ten-year contract with global chemical company Venator.The... Read more
New webinar to offer insight on how CommTrac optimises bulk cargo management
(Posted on 27/08/24)TBA's CommTrac bulk terminal operating system (TOS) optimises non-containerised cargo management. On... Read more
New dredger arrives on the Tees
(Posted on 27/08/24)The Emerald Duchess has proudly made its arrival to the River Tees.The £23m dredger, a major investment... Read more
Noatum enters Egypt’s maritime market with acquisition of Safina
(Posted on 18/08/24)Noatum, an AD Ports Group company, has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Safina B.V.,... Read more
