“Stimuleringsregeling Elektrificatie Binnenvaartschepen” enables shipowners to accelerate fleet sustainability
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has allocated €15.1 million for the development and transformation of inland vessels that use ZES technology for fully electric sailing.
To make ship sustainability affordable, Zero Emission Services (ZES) introduces an innovative payment model based on paying for the use of renewable energy (“pay per use”). Entrepreneurs only pay for the (re)construction to enable electric navigation and for the use of standardized modular energy containers (ZESpacks). The total investment required to operate cleanly is significantly reduced. The National Growth Fund (NGF) has provided a subsidy for “Zero-Emission Inland Shipping, Battery-Electric” to enable inland vessels to navigate with ZESpacks.
Regulation objective
The Inland Shipping Electrification Incentive finances the electrification of inland vessels using ZESpacks by offering financial support for adapting or building a ship with electric propulsion. This specifically includes the installation of electric propulsion systems. Some components that differ from traditional (diesel) systems are allowed, but battery containers themselves and combustion engines are not subsidized. Ships must be able to operate fully electrically with interchangeable battery containers.
Practical details
For the period until December 31, 2025, a total of €15.100.000,- is reserved for this subsidy. Per vessel, there is a maximum subsidy of 40% of the total investment costs with a limit of €400.000,-. For industrial research projects, there is additional funding of up to €75.000,- per application.
The regulation is open between:
- 07-12-2023 to 28-02-2024 at 12:00
- 01-05-2024 at 09:00 to 30-06-2024 at 12:00
- 01-09-2024 at 09:00 to 15-10-2024 at 12:00
Subsidies are allocated based on a ranking according to the following criteria:
- Emission-free
- Clean
- Implementation period
- Plan & Justification
Additional criteria apply to industrial research projects (scalability, knowledge transfer, and complementarity to the construction or conversion of an inland vessel).
ZES happily supports your research on sustainability options for your ship and fleet. You can contact Michiel Smit (ZES) via email: michiel.smit@zeroemissionservices.nl.
Link to the application portal: https://www.eicb.nl/projecten/seb/