Rotterdam Launches Emissions Monitoring Initiative for Vessel Fuel Efficiency

The Port of Rotterdam says approximately seven vessels will be fitted with emissions measurement systems.

The Port of Rotterdam says approximately seven vessels will be fitted with emissions measurement systems as part of the Continuous On-Board Analysis and Diagnosis' (COBALD) Green Deal, aimed at improving vessel efficiency.

COBALD is said to be intended as a "major step" toward improving the inland shipping sector's environmental impact, specifically for ships with older engines that want make their performance more efficient, cleaner, and more economical without replacing their existing engine.

The results of the trial are set for evaluation in the fourth quarter of 2018 at the latest, says the port.

The COBALD Green Deal, which was signed by Melanie Henriëtte Schultz van Haegen, the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment, and Henk Kamp, the Minister of Economic Affairs, is  said to be meant to involve the Port of Rotterdam Authority and various organisations in inland shipping.

"To maintain inland shipping's competitive edge, it is vital that we improve its environmental performance," said Schultz.

"After installing instruments suited for the on-board measurement of energy consumption and emissions, we can determine which measures and investments are most effective. This will take us a step closer to more efficient, cleaner and – let's not forget – more economical transport by water."

The Green Deal is also noted to have been signed by Koninklijke BLN-Schuttevaer, the Dutch Central Office for Rhine and Inland Navigation (CBRB), MARIN, Blueco Benelux BV, the Association of Importers of Combustion Engines (VIV), Stichting Green Award, STC-Nestra, TNO, SGS Nederland BV, ECN, Expertise- en InnovatieCentrum Binnenvaart, EVO, and Stichting Maritime Monitoring Institute.

Earlier this month, the Port of Rotterdam, through a collaborative effort with N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie (Gasunie), and Royal Vopak N.V. (Vopak), announced the completed expansion of the LNG Gate terminal at the Maasvlakte to include a third berth for the loading of small LNG vessels, including LNG bunkering vessels.