For inland shipping captains who invest in energy-saving measures, shore-based power is becoming an alternative to the traditional onboard diesel generator. This is the conclusion of 26 energy scans conducted on inland vessels. The scans were offered free of charge by North Sea Port, the Flemish government and the Port of Antwerp in order to promote the use of shore-based power by inland vessels. A win-win-win for the captain, surrounding residents and the environment.

Shorepower is an environmentally friendly and quiet way to provide European inland vessels with electricity. Shorepower stations are available in the Port of Antwerp, in the North Sea Port and along Flemish waterways. Research shows that they could be used more often. The outcomes of the study are supported by the European partners in the Clean Inland Shipping Project.

In order to raise awareness and increase interest in shore-based power in the inland shipping sector, at the end of September last year the Port of Antwerp, the North Sea Port and the Flemish government (The Flemish Waterways Authority and the Department of Mobility and Public Works) issued an appeal for candidates for a free energy scan. Twentysix inland shipping vessels responded to this call. There was also interest from abroad in organising these kinds of energy scans. For instance, requests were also received from the Netherlands and Germany.

Effect on air and noise
Currently, most inland shipping captains produce the energy they need with their own diesel generators, although this does cause noise pollution and CO2 and nitrogen emissions. In the context of promoting cleaner air and low-noise environments, the transition to shorebased power for inland shipping captains is being encouraged. This has a direct impact on the environment and the people living in the vicinity of our busy waterways.

The changeover seems obvious but is not so evident for many inland shipping captains: many of the ships are not yet technically equipped to be plugged in safely. Investments must therefore be made in order to be able to use shorepower.

Recouped in 4 years
From the energy scans carried out, it appears that on average, investments pay for themselves within four years due to the energy savings that are achieved. The 26 ships together saved 1.9 GWh on an annual basis, or as much as what 63 families use in electricity in a single year. That amounts to 499 tonnes less CO2 emissions per year. The savings differ per type of ship: a tanker or inland container ship can save as much as the
equivalent of 4.5 families per year. A dry bulk barge that makes all the modifications saves about as much as one family. In total, there are about one thousand inland waterway ships in Belgium.

Part of the European CLINSH research project
These energy scans form part of the European Clean Inland Shipping (CLINSH) research project, which in turn falls under the European Life Programme which focuses on the environment, nature conservation and climate action. It is aimed at improving air quality through the conversion and monitoring of inland shipping vessels on the one hand, and facilitating shore-based power infrastructure on the other. This public-private partnership brings together organisations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and England and is running from 2016 to February 2022. More info is available at www.clinsh.eu.