Clean Inland Shipping Project Enters Monitoring Phase

CLINSH is intended to test various emissions-reducing technologies, including the use of alternative fuels. Image Credit: CLINSH

CLean INland SHipping (CLINSH) says it has selected the vessels that will participate in the two-year project intended to test various emissions-reducing technologies, including the use of alternative fuels.

"The data gathered will provide valuable information about their environmental performance and the operating costs," explains CLINSH, which notes that the overall purpose of the project is to "create a fully sustainable inland shipping sector, which entails reducing emissions of hazardous substances such as nitrogen oxides and fine particulates."

The vessels fit into two categories, including vessels that are set to be fitted with various types of emissions control systems and vessels that have already had such measures applied.

Practical trials are slated to commence in early 2018, once all the necessary modifications to the vessels have been made.

"To remain competitive, the sector must invest in cleaner vessels," said Rik Janssen, regional minister of the province of Zuid-Holland and lead partner in the CLINSH project.

"We need people to lead the way, and we have found them in the operators taking part in the practical trials. The knowledge they develop will allow us to make an important contribution to a cleaner living environment."

Alain Devos, Director of the Flanders Inland Shipping Knowledge Centre (KBV), commenting on the project, said the strength of the CLINSH project comes from close collaboration between the partners.

"Public sector authorities and research institutes are no longer working in isolation but are actively working together with the sector to achieve long-term sustainability," said Devos.